The Pit-prop Syndicate

THE

PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

h

FREEMAN WILLS CROFTS

Author of “The Cask” and “The Ponson Case"

LONDON: 48 PALL MALL

W. COLLINS SONS & CO. LTD.

GLASGOW MELBOURNE AUCKLAND

Copyright 1923.

LONDON AND GLASGOW : W. COLLINS SONS AND CO. LTD.

THE PIT-Fr6p SYf5fD®54TE

NEW NOVELS

TYLER OF BARNET

BERNARD GILBERT

PILGRIM’S REST r. brbtt young
PIRACY MICHAEL ARLBN

BEANSTALK MRS. henry dudenby
ROSEANNE E. maria albanbsi
BIG PETER ARCHIBALD MARSHALL

With acknowledgments to Samuel Henry, Esq.,
for his kindness in advising on certain technical
matters mentioned in this book.

CONTENTS

PART I

THE AMATEUPS

CBAF. PAOB

I. THE SAWMILL ON THE LESQOE 3

II. AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION l 6

III. THE START OF THE CRUISE 29

IV. A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION 43

V. THE VISIT OF THE " GIRONDIN ” 59

VI. A CHANGE OF VENUE 76

VII. THE FERRIBY DEPOT 89

VIII. THE UNLOADING OF THE " GIRONDIN ’’ 101

IX. THE SECOND CARGO II3

X. MERRIMAN BECOMES DESPERATE 133

XI. AN UNEXPECTED ALLY I 47

PART II

THE PROFESSIONALS

Xn. MURDER t 169

xm. A PROMISING CLUE I 81

XIV. A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY I 93

vii

viii CONTENTS

CEAP. IPAOB

XV. INSPECTOR WILtlS LISTENS IN 209

XVI. THE SECRET OF THE SYNDICATE 222

XVII. "archer plants stuff" 236

XVIII. THE BORDEAUX LORRIES 255

XIX. WILLIS SPREADS BIS NET 269

XX. THE DOUBLE CROSS 28g

PART I

THE AMATEURS

CHAPTER I

THE SAWMILL CN THE LESQUE

Seymour Merriman was tired; tired of the jolting
saddle of his motor bicycle, < f the cramped position
of his arms, of the chug of the engine, and, most of all,
of the dreary, barren country through which he was
riding. Early that morning he had left Pau, and,
with the exception of an hour and a half at Bayonne,
where he had lunched and paid a short business call,
he had been at it ever since. It was now after five
o'clock, and the last post he had noticed showed him
he was still twenty-six kilometres from Bordeaux,
where he intended to spend the night.

** This confounded road has no end,'' he thought.
“ I really must stretch my legs a bit."

A short distance in front of him a hump in the white
ribbon of the road with parapet walls narrowing in
at each side indicated a bridge. He cut off his engine
and, allowing his machine to coast, brought it to a
stand at the summit. Then dismounting, he slid it
back on its bracket, stretched himself luxuriously,
ancj looked around.

In both directions, in front of him and behind, the
road stretched, straight, level, and monotonous as far
as the eye could reach, as he had seen it stretch, with
but few exceptions, during the whole of the day's run.
But whereas farther south it had led through open
country, desolate, depressing wastes of sand and sedge,
here it ran through the heart of a pine forest, in its
own way as melancholy. The road seemed isolated,
cut off from the surrounding country, like to be squeezed
out of existence by the overwhelming barrier on either

3

4 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

flanki a screen, aromatic indeed, but d^k, gloomy,
and forbidding. Nor was the prospect improved by
the long, unsightly-i^glLshes which fhe resin collectors
had made on the trunks, suggesting, as they did, that
the trees were stricken by some disease. To Merriman
the country seemed utterly uninhabited. Indeed, since
running through Labouheyre, now two hours back, he
could not rec^ having seen a single living creature
except those passing in motor cars, and of these even
there were but few.

He rested his arms on the masonry coping of the
old bridge and drew at his cigarette. But for the
distant rumble of an approaching vehicle, the spring
evening was very still. The river curved away gently
towards the left, flowing black and sluggish between its
flat banks, on which the pines grew down to the water's
edge. It was delightful to stay quiet for a few moments,
and Merriman took off his cap and let the cool air blow
on his forehead, enjoying the relaxation.

' He was a pleasant looking man of about eight-and-
twenty, clean shaven and with gray, honest eyes, dark
hair slightly inclined to curl, and a square, well-cut jaw.
Business had brought him to France. Junior partner
in the firm of Edwards & Merriman, Wine Merchants,
Gracechurch Street, London, he annually made a tour
of the exporters with whom his firm dealt. He had
worked across the south of the country from Cette to
Pau, and was now about to recross from Bordeaux to
near Avignon, after which his round would be complete.
To him this part of his business was a pleasme, and he
enjoyed his annual trip almost as much as if it had
been a holiday.

The vehicle which he had heard in the distance was
now close by, and he turned idly to watch it pass. He
did not know then that this slight action, performed
almost involuntarily, was to change his whole life, and
not only his, but the lives of a number of other people
of whose existence he was not then aware, was to lead
to sorrow as well as happiness, to crime as well as the

THE SAWMILL ON THE LESQUE 5

vindication of the law, to ... in short, what is more
to the point, had he not then looked round, this story
would never have been written.

The vehicle in itself was in no way remarkable. It
was a motor lorry of about five tons capacij^^ a heavy
thing, travelling slowly. Meniman's attention at
first focused itself on the dnver. He was a man of
about thirty, good-looking, vith thin, clear cut features,
an aquiline nose, and dark, clever-looking eyes. Dressed
though he was in rough, working clothes, there was a
something in his appearance, in nis pose, which suggested
a man of better social standing than hi» occupation
warranted.

“ Ex-officer,'* thought Merriman as his gaze passed
on to the lorry behind. It was painted a dirty green,
and was empty except for a single heavy casting,
evidently part of some large and massive machine.
On che side of the deck was a brass plate bearing the
words in English ** The Landes Pit-Prop Syndicate,
No. 4.** Merriman was somewhat surprised to see a
nameplate in his own language in so unexpected a
quarter, but the matter did not really interest him and
he soon dismissed it from his mind.

The machine chuffed ponderously past, and Meniman,
by now rested, turned to restart tds'.l^cycle. But his
troubles for the day were not over. t)n the ground
below his tank was a stain, and even as he looked, a
drop fell from the carburettor feed pipe, followed by
a second and a third.

He bent down to examine, and speedily jEound the
cause of the trouble. The feed pipe was Connected to
the bottom of fhe tank by a union, and thf nut, working
slack, had allowed a small but steady leak. He
tightened the nut and turned to measure the petrol
in the tank. A glance showed him that a mere drain
only remained.

“ Curse it all," he muttered, " that's the second
time that confounded nut has left me in the soup."

His position was a trifle awkward. He was still

6 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

some twenty-five kilometres from Bordeaux, and his
machine would not carry him more than perhaps two.
Of course, he could stop the first car that approached,
and no doubt borrow enough petrol to make the city,
but all day he had noticed with siuprise how few and
far- between the cars were, and there was no certainty
that one would pass within reasonable time.

Then the sound of the receding lorry, still faintly
audible, suggested an idea. It was travelling so slowly
that he might overtake it before his petrol gave out.
It was true it was going in the wrong direction, and if
he faded he would be still farther from his goal, but
when you are twenty-five kilometres from where you
want to be, a few hundred yards more or less is not
worth worrying about.

He wheeled his machine round and followed the
lorry at full speed. But he had not more than started
when he noticed his quarry turning to the right.
Slowly it disappeared into the forest.

“ Funny I didn’t see that road,” thought Merriman
as he bumped along.

He slackened speed when he reached the place where
the loiry had vanished, and then he saw a narrow lane
just wide enough to allow the big vehicle to pass, which
curved away between the tree stems. The surface
was badly cut up with wheel tracks, so much so tha t
Merriman decided he could not ride it. He therefore
dismounted, hid his bicycle among the trees, and
pushed on down the lane on foot. He was convinced
from his knowledge of the country that the latter must
be a cul-de-sac, at the end of which he would fiiid the
lorry. This he could hear not far away, chugging
slowly on in front of him.

The lane twisted ince.ssanlly, apparently to avoid
the larger trees. The surface was the virgin soil of the
forest only, but the ruts had been filled in roughly
with broken stones.

Merriman strode on, and suddenly, as he rounded
one of the bends, he got the surprise of his life.

THE SAWMILL ON THE LESQUE 7

Coming to meet him along the lane was a girl. This
in itself was perhaps not remarkable, but this girl
seemed so out of place amid such surroundings, or
even in such a district, that Merriman was quite
taken aback.

She was of medium height, slender and graceful as
a lUy, and looked about three-and-twenty. She was a
study in brown. On her head was a brown tarn, a rich,
wanii brown, like the brown of autumn bracken on a
moor. She wore a brown jumper, brown skirt, brown
stockings and little brown brogued shoes. As she came
closer, Merriman saw that her eyes, friendly, honest
eyes, were a shade of golden brown, and that a hint of
gold also gleamed in the brown of her hair. She was
pretty, not classically beautiful, but very charming
and attractive looking. She walked with the free, easy
movement of one accustomed to an out-of-door life.

As they drew abreast Merriman pulled off his cap.

’'Pardon, mademoiselle," he said in his somewhat
halting Fiench, ” but can you tell me if I could get
some petrol close by ? " and in a few words he explained
his predicament.

She looked him over with a sharp, scrutinising glance.
Apparently satisfied, she smiled slightly and replied]:

" But certainly, monsieur. Come to the mill and my
father will get you some. He is the manager."

She spoke even more haltingly than he had, and
with no semblance of a French accent — the French
rather of an English school. He stared at her.

" But you're English 1 " he cried in surprise.

She laughed lightly.

"Of course I'm English," she answered. "Why
shouldn't I be English ? But I don't think you're
very polite about it, you know."

He apologised in some confusion. It was the un-
expectedness of meeting a fellow-countryman in this
out of the way wood .... It was ... He did not
mean. . . .

" You want to say my French is not really so bad

8 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

aftCT all ? " she said relentlessly, and then : “
tdl 3 WU it’s a lot better than when we came herft.

" Then you are a new-comer ? "

"We’re not out very long. It's rather a change
from London, as you may imagine. But it’s not such
a bad country as it looks. At first I thought it would
be dreadful, but I have grown to like it.”

She had turned with him, and they were now walking
together between the tall, straight stems of the trees.

“ I’m a Londoner,” said Merriman slowly. " I
wonder if we Have any mutual acquaintances ? ”

“ It’s hardly likely. Since my mother died some
years ago we have lived very quietly, and gone out
very little.”

Merriman did not wish to appear inquisitive. He
made a suitable reply and, turning the conversation to
the country, told her of his day’s ride. She listened
eagerly, and it was borne in upon him that she was
lonely, and delighted to have any one to talk to. She
certainly seemed a charming girl, simple, natural and
friendly, and obviously a lady.

But soon their walk came to an end. Some quarter
of a mile from the wood the lane debouched into a large.
D-shaped clearing. It had evidently been recer/tly
made, for the tops of many of the tree-stumps dotted
thickly over the groimd were still white. Round the
semicircle of the forest trees were l>mg cut, some with
their branches still intact, others stripped clear to long,
straight poles. Two small gmigs of men were at work,
one felling, the other lopping.

Across the clearing, forming its other boundary and
the straight side of the D, ran a river, apparently from
its direction that which Merriman had looked down
from the road bridge. It was wider here, a fine stretch
of water, though still dark colomred and uninviting from
the shadow of the trees. On its bank, forming a centre
to the cleared semicircle, was a building, evidently
the mill. It was a small place, consisting of a gir»gi<»
long, narrow galvanised iron shed, placed parallel to

THE SAWMILL ON THE LESQUE 9

the river. In front of the shed was a tiny wharf, and
behind it were stacks and stacks of tree trunks, cut in
short lengths and buUt as if for seasoning. Decau-
ville tramways radiated from the shed, and men were
running in timber in the trucks. From the mill came
the hard, biting screech of a ckmlar saw.

** A sawmill 1 Merriman exclaimed rather un-
necessarily.

“ Yes. We cut pit-props for the English coal mines.
Those are they you see stacked up. As soon as they
are drier they will be shipped across. My father joined
with some others in putting up the capital, and —
voild ! She indicated the clearing and its contents
with a comprehensive sweep of her hand.

“ By Jove I A jolly fine notion too, I should say.
You have everything handy — trees handy, river handy
— I suppose from the look of that wharf that sea-going
ships can come up ? "

Shallow draughted ones only. But we have our
own motor ship specially built and always running.
It makes the round trip in about ten days.''

By Jove 1 " Merriman said again. " Splendid !
And is that where you live ? "

He pointed to a house standing on a little hillock
near the edge of the clearing at the far, or down-stream
side of the mill. It was a rough, but not uncomfortable
looking building of galvanised iron, one storied and
with a piazza in front. From a brick chimney a thin
spi^jp.1 of blue smoke was floating up lazily into the
calm air.

The girl nodded.

" It's not palatial, but it's really wonderfully com-
fortable," she explained, " and oh, the fires I I've never
seen such glorious wood fires as we have. Cuttings,
you know. We have more blocks than we know what
to do with."

“ I can imagine. I wish we had 'em in London."

They were walking not too rapidly across the clearing
towards the mill. At the back of the shed were a
p.p.s. B

10 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

number of doors, and opposite one of them, heading
into the opening, stood the motor lorry. The engine
was still running, but the driver had disappeared,
apparently into the building. As the two came up,
Merriman once more ran his eye idly over the vehicle.
And then he felt a sudden mild surprise, as one feels
when some unexpected though quite trivial incident
takes place. He had felt sure that this lorry standing
at the mill door was that which had passed him on
the bridge, and which he had followed down the lane.
But now he saw that it wasn’t. He had noted, idly
but quite distinctly, that the original machine was
No. 4. This one had a precisely similar plate, but it
bore the legend ''The Landes Pit-Prop Syndicate,
No. 3 "

Though the matter was of no importance, Merriman
was a little intrigued, and he looked more closely at
the vehicle. As he did so his surprise grew and his
trifling interest became mystification. The lorry was
the same. At least there on the top was the casting,
just as he had seen it. It was inconceivable that two
similar lorries should have two identical castings,
arranged in the same way, and at the same time and
place. And yet, perhaps it was just possible.

But as he looked he noticed a detail which settled
the matter. The casting was steadied by some rough
billets of wood. One of these billets was split, and a
splinter of curious shape had partially entered a bolt
hole. He recalled now, though it had slipped fron^his
memory, that he had noticed that queer shaped splinter
as the lorry passed him on the bridge. It was therefore
unquestionably and beyond a shadow of doubt the
same machine.

Involuntarily he stopped and stood staring at the
number plate, wondering if his recollection of that
seen at the bridge could be at fault. He thought not.
In fact, he was certain. He recalled the shape of the
4, which had an unusually small hollow in the middle.
There was no shadow of doubt of this either. He

THE SAWMILL ON THE LESQUE ix

remained motionless for a few seconds, puzzlii^ over
the problem and was just about to remark on it when
the girl broke in hurriedly.

'‘Father will bf^ in the office/' she said, and her
voice was sharpened as from anxiety. "Won't you
come and see him about the petrol ? "

He looked at her curiously. The smile had gone
from her lips, and her face was pale. She was frowning,
and in her eyes there showed unmistakable fear. She
was not looking at him, and his gaze followed the
direction of hers.

The driver had come out of the shed, the same dark,
aquiline featured man as had passed him on the bridge.
He had stopped and was staring at Merriman with an
intense regard in which doubt and suspicion rapidly
changed to hostility. For the moment neither man
moved, and then once again the girl's voice broke in.

" Oh, there is father," she cried, with barely disguised
relief in her tones. " Come, won't you, and speak to
him,"

The interruption broke the spell. The driver averted
his eyes and stooped over his engine ; Merriman turned
towards the girl, and the little incident was over.

It was evident to Merriman that he had in some
way put his foot in it, how he could not imagine, unless
there was really something in the matter of the number
plate. But it was equally clear to him that his com-
panion wished to ignore the affair, and he therefore
expefied it from his mind for the moment, and, once
again following the direction of her gaze, moved
towards a man who was approaching from the far end
of the shed.

He was tall and slender like his daughter, and walked
with lithe, slightly feline movements. His face was
oval, clear skinned, and with a pallid complexion made
still paler by his dark hair and eyes and a tiny mous-
tache, almost black and with waxed and pointed ends.
He was good-looking as to features, but the face was
weak and the expression a trifle shifty.

12 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

His daughter greeted him, still with some perturbation
in her manner.

" We were just looking for you, daddy," die called
a little breatUessly. "This gentleman is cycling to
Bordeaux and has run out of petrol. He asked me if
there was any to be had hereabouts, so I told him you
could give him some."

The new-comer honoured Merriman with a rapid
though searching and suspicious glance, but he replied
politely, and in a cultured voice : —

" Quite right, my dear." He turned to Merriman
and spoke in French. “ I shall be very pleased to
supply you, monsieur. How much do you want ? "

“ Thanks awfully, sir," Merriman answered in his
own language. “ I’m English. It's very good of you,
I’m sure, and I’m sorry to be giving so much trouble.
A litre should run me to Bordeaux, or say a little more
in case of accidents."

“ I’ll give you two litres. It’s no trouble at all."
He turned and spoke in rapid French to the driver.

" Oui, monsieur,’’ the man replied, and then, stepping
up to his chief, he said something in a low voice. The
other started slightly, for a moment looked concerned,
then instantly recovering himself, advanced to Merri-
man.

" Henri, here, will send a man with a two litre can
to where you left your machine," he said, then con-
tinued with a suave smile : —

“ And so, sir, you're English ? It is not often* that
we have the pleasure of meeting a fellow-countryman
in these wilds."

" I suppose not, sir, but I can assure you your pleasure
and surprise is as nothing to mine. You are not only
a fellow-countryman but a friend in need as well.”

" My dear sir, I know what it is to run out of spirit.
And I suppose there is no place in the whole of France
where you might go farther without finding any that^
this very district. You are on pleasure bent, I presume?"

Merriman shook his head.

THE SAWMILL OH THE LESQUE 13

‘‘Unfortunately, no," he repKed. "I'm travdling
for my firm, Edwards & Merriman, Wine Merchants of
London. I'm Merriman, Seymour Merriman, and I'm
going round the exporters with whom we deal."

“ A pleasant way to do it, Mr. Merriman. My name
is Cobum. You see, I am trying to change the face
of the country here ? "

" Yes, Miss " — Merriman hesitated for a moment
and looked at the girl — Miss Cobum told me what
you were doing. A splendid notion, I think."

“ Yes, I think we're going to make it pay very well,
I suppose you're not making a long stay ? "

" Two days in Bordeaux, sir, then I'm off east to
Avignon."

“ Do you know, I rather envy you. One gets tired
of these tree trunks and the noise of the saws. Ah,
there is your petrol." A workman had appeared with
a red can of Shell. " Well, Mr. Merriman, a pleasant
journey to you. You will excuse my not going farther
with you, but I am really supposed to be busy." He
turned to his daughter with a smile. " You, Madeleine,
can see Mr. Merriman to the road ? "

He shook hands, declined Merriman's request to be
allowed to pay for the petrol and, cutting short the
other's thanks with a wave of his arm, turned back to
the shed.

The two young people strolled slowly back across
the clearing, the girl evidently disposed to make the
mosf of the unwonted companionship, and Merriman
no less ready to prolong so delightful an interview.
But in spite of the pleasure of their conversation, he
could not banish from his mind the little incident
which had taken place, and he determined to ask a
discreet question or two about it.

" I say,'' he said, during a pause in their talk, " I'm
afraid I upset your lorry man somehow. Did you
notice the way he looked at me ? "

The girl's manner, which up to this had been easy
and careless, changed suddenly, becoming constrained

14 THE Plt-PROP SYNDICATE

and a trifle self-conscious. But she answered readily
enough.

“ Yes, I saw it. But you must not mind Henri. He
was badly shell-shocked, you know, and he has never
been the same since."

"Oh, I’m sorry," Merriman apologised, wondering
if the man could be a relative. " Both my brothers
were hit the same way. They were pretty bad, but
they’re coming all right. It's generally a question of
time, I think."

" I hope so," Miss Cobum rejoined, and quietly but
decisively changed the subject.

They began to compare notes about London, and
Merriman was sorry when, having filled his tank and
pushed his bicycle to the road, he could no longer with
decency find an excuse for remaining in her company.
He bade her a regretful farewell, and some half-hour
later was mounting the steps of his hotel in Bordeaux.

That evening, and many times later, his mind reverted
to the incident of the lorry. At the time she made it.
Miss Coburn’s statement about the shell-shock had
seemed entirely to account for the action of Henri,
the driver. But now Merriman was not so sure. The
more he thought over the affair, the more certain he
felt that he had not made a mistake about the number
plate, and the more likely it appeared that the driver
had guessed what he, Merriman, had noticed, and
resented it. It seemed to him that there was here some
secret which the man was afraid might become known,
and Merriman could not but admit to himself that all
Miss Coburn’s actions were consistent wHh the hypo-
thesis that she also shared that secret and that fear.

And yet the idea was grotesque that there could be
anything serious in the altering of the number plate
of a motor lorry, assuming that he was not mistaken.
Even if the thing had been done, it was a trivial matter
and, so far as he could see, the motives for it, as well
as its consequences, must be trivial. It was intriguing,
but no one could imagine it to be important. As

THE SAWMILL ON THE LESQUE i5'

Merriman cycled eastward through France his interest
in the affair gradually waned, and when, a fortni^t
later, he reached England, he had ceased to give it a
serious thought.

But the image of Miss Cobum did not so quickty
vanish horn his imagination, and many times he re-
gretted he had not taken an opportunity of returning
to the mill to renew the acquaintanceship so un-
expectedly begun.

CHAPTER 11

AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION

About ten o’clock on a fine evening towards the end
of June, some six weeks after the incident described in
the last chapter, Merriman formed one of a group of
young men seated round the open window of the
smoking room in the Rovers* Club in Cranboume
Street. They had dined together, and were enjoying
a slack hour and a little desultory conversation before
moving on, some to catch trains to the suburbs, some to
their chambers in town, and others to round off the
evening with some livelier form of amusement. The
Rovers had premises on the fourth floor of a large
building near the Hippodrome. Its membership
consisted principally of business and professional men,
but there was also a sprinkling of members of Parliament,
political secretaries and minor government officials,
who, though its position was not ideal, were attracted
to it because of the moderation of its subscription and
the excellence of its cuisine.

The evening was calm, and the sounds from the
street below seemed to float up lazily to tho^ little
group in the open window, as the smoke of their pipes
and cigars floated up lazily towards the ceiling above.
The gentle hum of the traffic made a pleasant accompani-
ment to their conversation, as the holding down of a
soft pedal fills in and supports dreamy organ music.
But for the six young men in the bow window the
room was untenanted, save for a waiter who had just
brought some fresh drinks, and who was now clearing
away empty glasses from an adjoining table.

The talk had turned on foreign travel, and more
x6

AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION 17

than one member had related experiences which he
had undergone while abroad, Merriman was tired
and had been rather silent, but it was suddenly borne
in on him that it was his duty, as one of the hosts of
the evening, to contribute somewhat more fully towards
the conversation. He determined to relate his little
adventure at the saw-mill of the Pit-Prop Syndicate.
He therefore lit a fresh dgar, settled himself more
comfortably in his chair, and began to speak.

‘‘ Any of you fellows know the country just south
of Bordeaux ? " he asked, and, as no one responded,
he went on : "I know it a bit, for I have to go through
it every year on my trip round the wine exporters.
This year a rather queer thing happened when I was
about half an hour’s nm from Bordeaux ; absolutely
a trivial thing and of no importance, you understand,
but it puzzled me. Maybe some of you could throw
some light on it ? "

Proceed, my dear sir, with your trivial narrative,"
indted Jelfs, a man sitting at one end of the group.
" We shall give it the weighty consideration which it
doubtless deserves."

Jelfs was a stockbroker and the professional wit of
the party. He was a good soul, but boring. Merriman
took no notice of the interruption.

It was between five and six in the evening,” he
went on, and he told in some detail of his day's run,
culminating in his visit to the sawmill and his discovery
of the alteration in the number of the lorry. He gave
the facts exactly as they had occurred, with the single
exception that he made no mention of his meeting with
Madeleine Cobum.

" And what happened ? " asked Drake, another of
the men, when he had finished.

" Nothing more happened,” Merriman returned.
" The manager came and gave me some petrol, and I
cleared out. The point is, why should that number
plate have been changed ? ”

Jelfs fixed his eyes on the speaker, and gave the

i8 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

little sidelong nod which indicated to the others that
another joke was about to be perpetrated.

You say," he asked impressively, " that the lorry
was at first 4 and then 3. Are you sure you haven't
made a mistake of 41 ? "

" How do you mean ? "

" I mean tiiat it's a common enough phenomenon
for a No. 4 lorry to change, after lunch, let us say, into
No. 44. Are you sure it wasn't 44 ? "

Merriman joined in the laugh against him.

“ It wasn't forty-anything, you old blighter," he
said good-humouredly. “ It was 4 on the road, and
3 at the mill, and I'm as sure of it as that you're an
amiable imbecile."

" Inconclusive," murmured Jelfs, " entirely incon-
clusive. But," he persisted, " you must not hold back
material evidence. You haven't told us yet what you
had at lunch."

"Oh, stow it, Jelfs," said Hilliard, a thin-faced,
eager looking young man who had not yet spoken.
" Have you no theory yourself, Merriman ? "

" None. I was completely puzzled. I would have
mentioned it before only it seemed to be making a
mountain out of nothing."

" I think Jelf's question should be answered, you
know," Drake said critically, and after some more
good-natured chaff the subject dropped.

Shortly after one of the men had to leave to catch
his train, and the party broke up. As they leff the
building Merriman found Hilliard at his elbow.

"Are you walking?^" the latter queried. "If so
I'll come along."

Claud Hilliard was the son of a clergyman in the
Midlands, a keen, not to say brilliant student who
had passed through bcHh school and college with dis-
tinction, and was iready at the age of eight-and-twenty
making a name for himself on the headquarters staff
of the Customs Department. His thin, eager face,
with its hooked nose, pale blue eyes and light, rather

AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION 19

untidy looking hair, formed a true index of his nimble,
somewhat speculative mind. What he did, he did
with his might. He was keenly interested in whatever
he took up, showing a tendency, indeed, to ride his
hobbies to deatli. He had a paii:’cular penchant for
puzzles of all kinds, and many a knotty problem brought
to him as a last court of appeal received n surprisingly
rapid and complete solution. His detractors, while
admitting his ingenuity and the almost uncanny
rapidity with which he seized on the essential facts of
a case, said he was lacking in staying power, but if
this were so, he had not as yet shown signs of it.

He and Merriman had first met on business, when
Hilliard was sent to the wine merchants on some matter
of Customs. The acquaintanceship thus formed had
ripened into a mild friendship, though the two had not
seen a great deal of each other.

They passed up Coventry Street and across the
Circus into Piccadilly. Hilliard had a flat in a side
street oil Knightsbridge, while Merriman lived farther
west in Kensii gton. At the door of his flat Hilliard
stopped.

Come in for a last drink, won’t you ? ” he invited.
” It’s ages since you’ve been here.”

Merriman agreed, and soon the two friends were
seated at another open window in the small, but com-
fortable sitting-room of the flat.

They chatted for some time, and then Hilliard turned
the (fbnversation to the story Merriman had told in the
club.

” You know,” he said; knocking the ash carefully
off his cigar, ” I was rather interested in that tale of
yours. It’s quite an intriguing little mystery. I
suppose it’s not possible that you could have made a
mistake about those numbers ? ”

Merriman laughed.

” I’m not exactly infallible, and I have, once or
twice in my life, made mistakes. But I don’t think I
made one this time. You see, the only question is the

20 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

nmnber at the bridge. The number at the mill is
certain. My attention was drawn to it, and I looked
at it too often for there to be the slightest doubt. It
was No. 3 as certainly as that I'm alive. But the
number at the bridge is different. There was nothing
to draw my attention to it, and I only glanced at it
casually. I would say that I was mistaken about it
only for one thing. It was a black figure on a polished
brass ground, and I particularly remarked that the
black lines were very wide, leaving an unusually small
brass triangle in the centre. If I noticed that, it must
have been a 4.''

Hilliard nodded.

** Pretty conclusive, I should say." He paused for
a few moments, then moved a little irresolutely. “ Don't
think me impertinent, old man," he went on with a
sidelong glance, " but I imagined from your manner
you were holding something back. Is there more in
the story than you told ? "

It was now Merriman's turn to hesitate. Although
Madeleine Cobum had been in his thoughts more or
less continuously since he returned to town, he had
never mentioned her name, and he was not sure that
he wanted to now.

" Sorry I spoke, old man," Hilliard went on. " Don't
mind answering."

Merriman came to a decision.

" Not at all," he answered slowly. " I'm a fool to
make any mystery of it. Ill tell you. There is^a girl
there, the manager's daughter. I met her in the lane
when I was following the lorry, and a died her about
petrol. She was frightfully decent ; came back with
me and told her father what I wanted, and all that.
But, Hilliard, here’s the point. She knew I There’s
something, and she knows it too. She got quite scared
when that driver fixed me with his eyes, and tided to
get me avay, and she was quite unmistakably relieved
when the incident passed. Then later her father sug-
gested she should see me to the road, and on the way

an interesting SUGGpnON 21

I mentioned the thing— ^sdd I was aJtedd I had upset
the driver somehow— and she got embarrassed at once,
told me the man was shell-shocked, implying that he
was queer, and switched off on to another subject so
pointedly I had to let it go at thxt/'

Hilliard's eyes glistened.

** Quite a good little mysten;," he said, " I suppose
the man couldn't have been a relation, or even her
fianc4 ? "

That occurred to me, and it is possible. But I
don't think so. I believe she wanted to try to account
for his manner, so as to prevent me smelling a rat."

" And did she not account for it ? "

" Perhaps she did, but again I don't think so. I
have a pretty good knowle%e of shell-shock, as you
know, and it didn't look like it to me. I don't suggest
she wasn't speaking the truth. I mean that this parti-
cular action didn't seem to be so caused."

There was silence for a moment and then Merriman
continuoa : —

" There was another thing which might bear in the
same direction, or again it may only be my imagination
— I’m not sure of it. I told you the manager appeared
just in the middle of the little scene, but I forgot to
tell you that the driver went up to him and said some-
thing in a low tone, and the manager started and looked
at me and seemed annoyed. But it was very slight
and only for a second ; I would have noticed nothing
only*for what went before. He was quite polite and
friendly immediately after, and I may have been
mistaken and imagined the whole thing.”

” But it works in," Hilliard commented. " If the
driver saw what you were looking at and your ex-
pression, he would naturally guess what you had
noticed, and he would warn his boss that ycni had
tumbled to it. The manager would look surprised
and annoyed for a moment, then he would see he must
divert your suspicion, and talk to you as if nothing
had happened."

2t THE PIT-PROP SYNCICAT^

Quite. That's just what I thought. But again,
I may have been mistaken." ^

They continued discussing the matter for some time
longer, and then the conversation turned into other
channels. Finally the clocks chiming midnight aroused
Merriman, and he got up and said he must be
going.

Three days later he had a note from Hilliard.

" Come in to-night about ten if you are doing nothing,"
it read. " I have a scheme on, and I hope you*ll join in
with me. Tell you when I see you."

It happened that Merriman was not engaged that
evening, and shortly after ten the two men were occupy-
ing the same arm-chairs at the same open window,
their glasses within easy reach and their cigars w^
under way.

" And what is your great idea ? " Merriman asked
when they had conversed for a few moments. " If
it's as good as your cigars, I'm on."

Hilliard moved nervously, as if he found a difficulty
in replying. Merriman could see that he was excited,
and his own interest quickened.

" It's about that tale of yours," Hilliard said at
length. " IVe been thinking it over."

He paused as if in doubt. Merriman felt like
Alice when she had heard the mock-turtle's story,
but he waited in silence, and presently Hilliard went
on.

" You told it with a certain amount of h'esita-
tion," he said. "You suggested you might be
mistaken in thinking there was anything in it. Now
I'm going to make a suggestion with even more hesita-
tion, for it's ten times wilder than yours-, and there is
simply nothing to back it up. But here goes all the
same."

His indecision had passed now, and he went on
fluently and with a certain excitement.

" Here you have a trade with something fishy about
it. Perhaps you think that's putting it too strongly ;

AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION. 23

if so, let us say there is something peculiar about
it ; something, at aU events, to call one's attention
to it, as being in some way out of the common. And
when we do think about it, what's the first thing we
discover ? "

Hilliard looked inquiringly at his friend. The latter
sat listening carefully, but did not speak, and Hilliard
answered his own question.

‘*Why, that it's an export trade from France to
England— an export trade only, mi^d you. As far as
yuu learnt, these people's boat runs the pit-props
to England, but carries nothing back. Isn't that
so ? "

"They didn't mention return cargoes," Merriman
answered, " but that doesn't mean there aren't any.
I did not go into the thing exhaustively."

" But what could there be ? What possible thing
could be shipped in bulk from this country to the
middle of a wood near Bordeaux ? Something, mind
you, that you, there at the very place, didn't see. Can
you think of an-^thing ? "

"Not at the moment. But I don't see what that
has to do with it."

" Quite possibly nothing, and yet it's an interesting
point."

" Don't see it."

" Well, look here. I've been making inquiries, and
I find most of our pit-props come from Norway and
the Baltic. But the ships that bring them don't go back
empty. They carry coal. Now do you see ? "

It was becoming evident that Hilliard was talking
of something quite definite, and Merriman's interest
increased still further.

" I dare say Tm a frightful ass," he said, " but I'm
blessed if I know what you're driving at."

" Costs," Hilliard returned. " Look at it from the
point of view of costs. Timber in Norway is as plentiful
and as cheap to cut as in the Landes, indeed, possibly
cheaper, for there is water there available for power.

24 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

But your freight will be much less if you can get a
return cargo. Therefore a priori, it should be cheaper
to bring props from Norway than from France. Do
you follow me so far ? "

Merriman nodded.

" If it costs the same amount to cut the props at
each place/* Hilliard resumed, ‘'and the Norwegian
freight is lower, the Norwegian props must be cheaper
in England. How then do your friends make it
pay ? '*

“ Methods more up to date perhaps. Things looked
eflSicient, and that manager seemed pretty wide-
awake.**

Hilliard shook his head.

“ Perhaps, but I doubt it. I don't think you have
much to teach the Norw^egians about the export of
timber. Mind you, it may be aU right, but it seems
to me a question if the Bordeaux people have a paying
trade.**

Merriman was puzzled.

“ But it must pay or they wouldn*t go on with it.
Mr. Cobum said it was papng well enough.**

Hilliard bent forward eagerly.

“ Of course he wohld say so,** he cried. “ Don't you
see that his saying so is in itself suspicious ? \^y

should he want to tell you that if there was nothing to
make you doubt it ? **

“ There is nothing to make me doubt it. See here,
Hilliard, I don't for the life of me know whatc-you're
getting at. For the Lord's sake, explain yourself.**

“ Ah," Hilliard returned with a smile, " you see you
weren't brought up in the Customs. Do you know,
Merriman, that the thing of all others we're keenest
on is an import trade that doesn't pay? " He paused
a moment then added slowly : " Because if a trade
which doesn't pay is continued, there must be something
else to make it pay. Just think, Merriman.^ l^at
would make a trade from France to this country
pay?"

AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION 25
Merriman gasped.

'' By Jove I Hilliard. You mean smuggling ?
Hilliard laughed delightedly.

Of course I mean smuggling, what else ? "

He waited for the idea to sink in to his companion’s
brain, then he went on : —

"And now another thing. Bordeaux, as no one
knov:s better than yourself, is just the centre of the
brandy district. You see what I'm getting at ? My
department would naturally be interested in a mysterious
trade from the Bordeaux district. You accidentally
find one. See ? Now what do you think of it ’ "

" 1 don't think much of it," Merriman answered
sharply, while a wave of unreasoning anger passed
over him. The suggestion annoyed him unaccountably.
The vision of Madeleine Cobum's clear, honest eyes,
returned forcibly to his recollection. " I'm afraid
you're out of it this time. If you had seen Miss Coburn
you would have known she is not the sort of girl to
lend iierfv.df to anything of that kind."

Hilliard eyed his friend narrowly and with some
surprise, but lie only said : —

"You think not ? Well, perhaps you are right.
You've seen her and I haven't. But those two points
are at least interesting — the changing of the numbers
and the absence of a return trade."

" I don't believe there's anything in it."

" Probably you're right, but the idea interests me.

I was going to make a proposal, but I expect now you
won't agree to it."

Merriman's momentary annoyance was subsiding.

" Let's hear it anyway, old man," he said in con-
ciliatory tones.

'' You get your holidays shortly, don’t you ? "

" Monday week. My partner is away now, but he'll
be back on Wednesday. I go next."

" I thought so. I'm going on mine next week —
taking the motor launch, you know. I had made
plans for the Riviera — ^to go by the Seine, and from
P.P.S. C

26 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

there by canal to the Rhone and out at Marseilles.
Higginson was coming with me, but as you know he's
crocked up and won't be out of bed for a month. My
proposal is that you come in his place, and that instead
of crossing France in the orthodox way by the Seine,
we try to work through from Bordeaux by the Garonne.
I don't know if we can do it, but it would be rather
fun trying. But any way the point would be that we
should pay a call at your sawmill on the way, and see
if we can learn anything more about the lorry numbers.
What do you say ? "

Sounds jolly fascinating." Merriman had quite
recovered his good humour. " But I'm not a yachts-
man. I know nothing about the business,"

" Pooh ! What do you want to know ? We're not
sailing, and motoring through these rivers and canals
is great sport. And then we can go on to Monte and
any of those places you like. I've done it before and
had no end of a good time. What do you say ? Are
you on ? "

" It's jolly decent of you. I'm sure, Hilliard. If you
think you can put up with a hopeless landlubber, I'm
certainly on."

Merriman was surprised to find how much he was
thrilled by the proposal. He enjoyed boating, though
only very mildly, and it was certainly not the prospect
of endless journeyings along the canals and rivers of
France that attracted him. Still less was it the sea,
of which he hated the motion. Nor was it the question
of the lorry lumbers. He was puzzled and interested
in the affair, and he would like to know the solution,
but his curiosity was not desperately keen, and he
did not feel like taking a great deal of trouble to satisfy
it. At all events he was not going to do any spying,
if that was what Hilliard wanted, for he did not for a
moment accept that smuggling theory. But when they
were in the neighbourhood he supposed it would be
permissible to call and see the Coburns. Miss Coburn
had seemed lonely. It would be decent to try to

AN INTERESTING SUGGESTION 27

cheer her up. They might invite her on board, and
have tea and perhaps a run up the river. He seemed
to visualise the launch moving easily between the tree-
clad banks, Hilliard attending to his engine and steering,
he and the brown-eyed girl in the taffrail, or the cock-
pit, or the well, or whatever yon sat in on a motor
boat. He pictured a gloriously sunny afternoon,
warm and delightful, with just enough air made by the
movement to prevent it*s being too hot. It would. . . .

Hilliard's voice broke in on hr thoughts, and he
realised his friend had been speaking for some time.

She's over engined, if anything," he was saying,
" but that's all to the good for emergencies. I got
fifteen knots out of her once, but she averages about
twelve. And good in a sea-way, too. For her size,
as dry a boat as ever I was in."

" What size is she ? " asked Merriman.

" Thirty feet, eight feet beam, draws two feet ten.
She’il go down any of the French canals. Two four-
cylinder engines, either of which will run her. Engines
and wheel amid-^ships, cabin aft, decked over. Oh, she's
a beauty. You'll like her, I can tell you."

" But do you mean to tell me you would cross the
Bay of Biscay in a boat that size ? "

" The Bay's maligned. I've been across it six times
and it was only rough once. Of course, I'd keep near
the coast and run for shelter if it came on to blow.
You need not worry. She's as safe as a house."

" Fm not worrying about her going to the bottom,"
Merriman answered. " It's much worse than that.
The fact is," he went on in a burst of confidence, " I
can't stand the motion. I'm ill all the time. Couldn't
I join you later ? "

Hilliard nodded.

" I had that in my mind, but I didn't like to suggest
it. As a matter of fact it would suit me better. You
see, I go on my holidays a week earlier than you. I
don't want to hang about all that time waiting for you.
Fll get a man and take the boat over to Bordeaux,

28 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

send the man home, and you can come overland and
join me there. How would that suit you ? ”

“ Ai, Hilliard. Nothing could be better.”

They continued discussing details for the best part
of an hour, and when Merriman left for home it had
been arranged that he should follow Hilliard by the
night train from Charing Cross on the following Monday
weeL

CHAPTER III

THE START OF THE CRUISE

Dusk was already falling when the 9.0 p.m. Continental
boat-train pulled out of Charing Cross, with Seymour
Merriman in the corner of a first-class compartment.
It had been a glorious day of clear atmosphere and
brilliant sunshine, and there was every prospect of a
spell of good weather. Now, as the train rumbled over
the bridge at tne end of the station, sky and river
presented a gorgeous colour scheme of crimson and
jnnk and gold, shading off through violet and gray
to nearly black. Through the latticing of the girders
the great !^uildings on the northern bank showed up
for a moment against the light beyond, dark and
sombre masses with nicked and serrated tops, then,
the river crossed, nearer buildings intervened to cut off
the view, and the train plunged into the maze and
wilderness of South London.

The little pleasurable excitement which Merriman
had experienced when first the trip had been suggested
had not waned as the novelty of the idea passed. Not
since he was a boy at school had he looked forward so
keenly to holidays. The launch, for one thing, would
be a new experience. He had never been on any kind
of cruise. The nearest approach had been a couple of
days' yachting on the Norfolk Broads, but he had found
that monotonous and boring, and had been glad when
it was over. But this, he expected, would be different.
He delighted in poking about abroad, not in the great
cosmopolitan hotels, which after all are very much the
same all the world over, but where he came in contact
with actual foreign life. And how better could a country

29

^0 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

be seen than by slowly motoring through its waterways ?
Merriman was well pleased with the prospect.

And then there would be Hilliard. Merriman had
always enjoyed his company, and he felt he would be
an ideal companion on the tour. It was true Hilliard
had got a bee in his bonnet about this lorry affair.
Merriman was mildly interested in the thing, but he
would never have dreamt of going back to the sawmill
to investigate. But Hilliard seemed quite excited
about it. His attitude, no doubt, might be partly
explained by his love of puzzles and mysteries. Perhaps
also he half believed in his absurd suggestion about
the smuggling, or at least felt that if it were true there
was the diance of his making some coup which would
also make his name. How a man's occupation colours
liis mind I thought Merriman. Here was Hilliard,
and because he was in the Customs his ideas ran to
Customs operations, and when he came across anything
he did not understand he at once suggested smuggling.
If he had been a soldier he would have guessed gun-
running, and if a politician, a means of bringing anarchist
literature into the country. Well, he had not seen
Madeleine Cobum ! He would soon drop so absurd
a notion when he had met her. The idea of her being
party to such a thing was too ridiculous even to be
annoying.

However, Hilliard insisted on going to the mill, and
he, Merriman, could then pay that call on the Cobums.
It would not be polite to be in the neighbourhood and
not do so. And it would be impossible to call without
asking Miss Coburn to come on the river. As the train
rumbled on through the rapidly darkening country
Merriman began once again to picture the details of
that excursion. No doubt they could have tea on
board. ... He mustn't forget to buy some decent
cakes in Bordeaux. . . . Perhaps she would help him
to get it ready while Hilliard steered and pottered
over his old engines. . . . He could just imagine her
bending over a tea tray, her graceful figure, the little

THE START OF THE CRUISE apt

brown tendrils of her hair at the edge of hef tam-o'-
shanter, her brown eyes perhaps flashing up to meet
his own. ...

Dover came unexpectedly soon and Merriman had
to postpone the further consideration oi his plans until
he had gone on board the boat and settled down in a
comer of the smoke room. Thexe, however, he fell
asleep, not awaking until aroused by the bustle of the
arrival in Calais.

He reached Paris just before six rnd drove to the
Gate Quai d'Orsay, where he had time for a bath and
breakfast before catching the 7.50 a.m. express for
Bordeaux. Again it was a perfect day, and as the
hours passed and they ran steadily southward through
the pleasing but monotonous central plain of France,
the heat grew more and more oppressive. Poictiers
was hot, Angouleme an oven, and Merriman was not
sorry when at a quarter to five they came in sight of
the Garonne at the outskirts of Bordeaux and a few
moments later pulled up in the Bastide Station.

Hilliard was waiting at the platform barrier.

Hallo, old man,"' he cried. Jolly to see you.
Give me one of your handbags. IVe got a taxi out-
side."

Merriman handed over the smallest of the two small
suit-cases he carried, having, in deference to Hilliard's
warnings, left behind most of the things he wanted to
bring. They found the taxi and drove out at once across
the great stone bridge leading from the Bastide Station
and .suburb on the east bank to the main city on the
west. In front of them lay the huge concave sweep of
quays fronting the Garonne, here a river of over a
qupter of a mile in width, with behind the massed
buildings of the town, out of which here and there
rose Aurch spires and, farther down-stream, the
three imposing columns of the Place des Quihconces.

"Some river, this," Merriman said, looking up and
down the great sweep of water.

"Rather. I have the Swallow longside a private

32 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

wharf farther up-stream* Rather tumbled down old
shanty, but it*s easier than mooring in the stream and
rowing!^ out. We'll go and leave your things aboard,
and then we can come up town again and get some
dinner.”

” Right-0,” Merriman agreed.

Having crossed the bridge they turned to the left,
up-stream, and ran along the quays towards the south.
After passing the railway bridge the taxi swung down
towards the water's edge, stopping at a somewhat
decrepit enclosure over the gate of which was the
legend ” Andre Leblanc, Location de Canots.” Hilliard
jumped out, paid the taxi man, and, followed by
Merriman, entered the enclosure.

It was a small place, with a wooden quay along the
river frontage and a shed at the opposite side. Between
the two lay a number of boats. Trade appeared to be
bad, for there was no life about the place and everything
was dirty and decaying.

” There she is,” Hilliard cried, with a ring of pride
in his voice. " Isn't she a beauty ? ”

The Swallow was tied up alongside the wharf, her
bow up-stream, and lay tugging at her mooring ropes
in the swift run of the ebb tide. Merriman's first glance
at her was one of disappointment. He had pictured a
graceful craft of well-polished wood, with white deck
planks, shining brass work and cushioned seats. Instead
he saw a square-built, clumsy looking boat, painted,
where the paint was not worn off, a sickly greenish
white, and giving a general imprt‘ssion of dirt and want
of attention. She was flush-decked, and sat high in
the water, with a freeboard of nearly five feet. A little
forward of amidships was a small deck cabin containing
a brass wheel and binnacle. Aft of the cabin, in the
middle of the open space of the deck, was a skylight,
the top of which formed two short seats placed back to
back. Forward rose a stumpy mast carrying a lantern
cage near the top, and still farther forward, almost in
the bows, lay an unexpectedly massive anchor, housed

THE START OF THE CRUISE 33

in grids, with behind it a small hand winch for pulling
in the chain.

We had a bit of a blow coming round the Coubre
into the river,'* Hilliard went on enthusiastically,
"and I tfS yon she didn't ship a pint. The cabin
bone green water coming over her all the

time."

Meiriman could believe it. Though his temporary
home was not beautiful, he could see th?t she was
strong ; in fact, she was massive. But he thanked his
stars he had not assisted in the test. He shuddered
at the very idea, thinking gratefully that to reach
Bordeaux the Paris-Orleans Railway was good enough
for him.

But, realising it was expected of him, he began
praising the boat, until the unsuspecting Hilliard be-
lieved him as enthusiastic as himself.

" Yes, she's all of that," he agreed. " Come aboard
and see the cabin."

They descended a flight of steps let into the front of
the wharf, wet, slippery, ooze-covered steps left bare by
the receding tide, and, stepping over the side entered
the tiny deck-house.

"This is chart-house, shelter, and companion-way
all in one,'' Hilliard explained. " All the engine con-
trols come up here, and I can reach them with my left
hand while steering with my right." He demonstrated
as he spoke, and Merriman could not but agree that
the arrangements were wonderfully compact and
efficient.

" Come below now," went on the proud owner,
disappearing down a steep flight of steps against one
wall of the house.

The hull was divided into three compartments;
amidsliips the engine room with its twin engines,
forward a store containing among other things a
collapsible boat, and aft a cabin with lockers on each
side, a folding table between them, and a marble-topped
cupboard on which was a Primus stove.

34 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

The woodwork was pamted the same greenish white
as the outside, but it was soiled and dingy, and the
whole place looked dirty and untidy. There was a
smell of various oils, paraffin predominating.

"You take the port locker," Hilliard explained.
" You see, the top of it lifts and you can stow your
things in it. When there are only two of us we sleep
on the lockers. You'll find a sheet and blankets inside.
There's a board underneath that turns up to keep you
in if she's rolling ; not that we shall want it imtil we
get to the Mediterranean. I'm afraid," he went on,
answering Merriman's unspoken thought, " the place
is not very tidy. I hadn't time to do much squaring —
I'll teH you about that later. I suppose " — ^reluctantly
— " we had better turn to and clean up a bit before
we go to bed. But " — ^brightening up again — " not
now. Let's go up to^vn and get some dinner as soon
as you are ready."

He fussed about, explaining with the loving and
painstaking minuteness of the designer as well as the
owner, the various contraptions the boat contained,
and when he had finished, Merriman felt that, could
he but remember his instructions, there were few
situations with which he could not cope or by which
he could be taken unawares.

A few minutes later the two friends climbed once
more up the slippery steps, and, strolling slowly up the
town, entered one of the large restaurants in the Place
de la Comedie,

Since Merriman's arrival Hilliard had talked viva-
ciously, and his thin, hawk-like face had seemed even
more eager than the wine merchant had ever before
seen it. At first the latter had put it down to the
natural interest of his own arrival, the showing of the
boat to a new-comer, and the start of the cruise generally,
but as dinner progressed he began to feel there must be
some more tangible cause for the excitement his friend
was so obviously feeling. It was not Merriman's habit
to beat about the bush.

THE START OF THE CRUISE 35

*'What is it?"' he asked during a pause in the
conversation.

** What is what ? ” returned Hilliard, looking un-
comprehendingly at Iiis friend.

Wrong with you. Here you are, jumping about
as if you were on pins and needles and gabbling at
the rate of a thousand words a minute. What's aU
the excitement about ? "

" I'm not excited," Hilliard returned seriously,
'*but I admit being a little intere'^ted by what has
happened since we parted that night in London. I
haven't told you yet. I was waiting until we had
finished dinner and could settle down. Let's go and
sit in the Jardin and you shall hear."

Leaving the restaurant, they strolled to the Place
des Quinconces, crossed it, and entered the Jardin
Public. The band was not playing and, though there
were a number of people about, the place was by no
means crowded, and they were able to find under a
large tree set back a little from one of the walks, two
vacant chairs. Here they sat down, enjoying the soft
evening air, warm, but no longer too warm, and watching
the promenading Bordelais.

" Yes," Hilliard resumed as he lit a cigar, " I have
had quite an interesting time. You shall hear. I got
hold of Maxwell of the telephones, who is a yachtsman,
and who was going to Spain on holidays. Well, the
boat was laid up at Soulhampton, and we got down
about midday on Monday week. We spent that day
overhauling her and getting in stores, and on Tuesday
we ran down Channel, putting into Dartmouth for the
night and to fill up with petrol. Next day was our
big day — across to Brest, something like 170 miles,
mostly open sea, and with Ushant at the end of it —
a beastly place, generally foggy and always with bad
currents. We intended to wait in the Dart for good
weather, and we wired the Meteorological Office for
forecasts. It happened that on Tuesday night there
was a first-rate forecast, so on Wednesday we decided

36 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

to risk it. We slipped out past the old castle at Dart-
mouth at 5 a.m., had a topping run, and were in Brest
at seven that evening. There we filled up again, and
next day, Thursday, we made St. Nazaire, at the
mouth of the Loire. We had intended to make a long
day of it on Friday and come right here, but as I told
you it came on to blow a bit off the Coubre, and we
could only make the mouth of the river. We put in
to a Uttle place called Le Verdon, just inside the Pointe
de Grave — that*s the end of that fork of land on the
southern side of the Gironde Estuary. On Saturday
we got here about midday, hunted round, found that
old wharf and moored. Maxwell went on the same
evening to Spain.'’

Hilliard paused, while Merriman congratulated him
on his journey.

** Yes, we hadn't bad luck,'' he resumed. But that
really wasn't what I wanted to tell you about. I had
brought a fishing rod and outfit, and on Sunday I took
a car and drove out along the Bayonne Road until
I came to your bridge over that river — the Lesque I
find it is. I told the chap to come back for me at six,
and I walked down the river and did a bit of prospecting.
The works were shut, and by keeping the mill building
between me and the manager's house, I got close up
and had a look round unobserved — ^at least, I think I
was unobserved. Well, I must say the whole business
looked genuine. There's no question those tree cuttings
are pit-props, and I couldn't see a single thing in the
slightest degree suspicious.”

” I told you there could be nothing really wrong,”
Merriman interjected.

” I know you did, but wait a minute. I got back to
the forest again in the shelter of the mill building,
and I walked around through the trees and chose a
place for what I wanted to do next morning. I had
decided to spend the day watching the lorries going to
and from the works, and I naturally wished to remain
unobserved myself. The wood, as you know, is very

THE START OF THE CRUISE 37

open. The trees are thick, but there is very little under-
growth, and it's nearly impossible to get decent cover.
But at last I found a little hollow with a mound between
it and the lane and road— just a mere irregularity in
the surface like what a tommy would make when he
began to dig himself in. I thought I could lie there
unobserved, and see what went on with my glass.
I have a very good prism monocular — twenty-five
diameter magnification, with a splendid definition.
From my hollow I could just see through the trees
vehicles passing along the main road, but I had a
fairly pod view of the lane for at least half its length.
The view, of course, was broken by the stems, but still
I should be able to tell if any games were tried on.
I made some innocent looking markings so as to find
the place again, and then went back to the river and so
to the bridge and my taxi."

Hilliard paused and drew at his cigar. Merriman
did not speak. He was leaning forward, his face showing
the interrs: he felt.

" Next morning, that was yesterday, I took another
taxi and returned to the bridge, again dressed as a
fisherman. I had brought some lunch, and I told the
man to return for me at seven in the evening. Then
I found my hollow, lay down and got out my glass.
I was settled there a little before nine o'clock.

" It was very quiet in the wood. I could hear faintly
the noise of the saws at the mill and a few birds were
singing, otherwise it was perfectly still. Nothing
happened for about half an hour, then the first lorry
came. I heard it for some time before I saw it. It
passed very slowly along the road from Bordeaux, then
turned into the lane and went along it at almost a
walking pace. With my glass I could see it distinctly
and it had a label plate same as you described, and
was No. 6. It was empty. The driver was a young
m^, dean shaven and fairhaired.

" A few minutes later a second empty lorry appeared
conung from Bordeaux. It was No. 4, and the driver

38 THE PIT.PROP SYNDICATE

was, I am sure, the man you saw. He was like your
description of him at all events. This lorry also passed
along the lane towards the works.

‘'There was a pause then for an hour or more.
About half-past ten the No. 4 lorry with your friend
appeared coming along the lane outward bound. It
was heavily loaded with firewood and I followed it
along, going very slowly and bumping over the in-
equalities of the lane. When it got to a point about
a hundred yards from the road, at, I afterwards found,
an S curvfc which cut off the view in both directions,
it stopped and the driver got down. I need not tell
you that I watched him carefully and, Merriman,
what do you think I saw him do ? ''

** Change the number plate ? suggested Merriman
with a smile.

“ Change the number plate ! repeated Hilliard.

As Fm alive, that's exactly what he did. First on
one side and then on the other. He changed the 4 to
a I. He took the i plates out of his pocket and put the
4 plates back instead, and the whole thing just took a
couple of seconds, as if the plates slipped in and out of
a holder. Then he hopped up into his place again and
started off. What do you think of that ? "

“ Goodness only knows," Merriman returned slowly.

An extraordinary business."

" Isn’t it ? Well, that lorry went on out of sight.
I waited there until after six, and four more passed.
About eleven o’clock No. 6 with the clean shaven
driver passed out, loaded, so far as I could see, with
firewood. That was the one that passed in empty at
nine. Jhen there was a pause until half-past two, when
your fnend returned with his lorry. It was empty this
time, and it was still No. i. But Fm blessed, Merriman,
if he didn’t stop at the same place and change the
number back to 4 I "

" Lord ! " said Merriman tersely, now almost as
much interested as his friend.

"It only took a couple of seconds, and then the

THE START OF THE CRUISE 39

machine lumbered on towards the mill. I was pretty
excited, I can tell you, but I decided to sit tight and
await developments. The next thing was the return
of No. 6 lorry and the dean shaven driver. You
remember it had started out loaded at about eleven.
It came back empty shortly after the other, say about
quarter to three. It didn't stop and there was no
change made with its number. Tlun there was another
pause. At half-past three your friend came cut again
with another load. This time he was driving No i,
and I waited to see him stop and change it. But he
didn't do either. Sailed away with the numbei re-
maining I. Queer, isn't it ? "

Merriman nodded and Hilliard resumed.

I stayed where I was, still watching, but I saw no
more lorries. But I saw Miss Coburn pass about ten
minutes later — at least I presume it was Miss Cobum.
She was dressed in brown, and was walking smartly
along the lane towards the road. In about an hour
she passed jack. Then about five minutes past five
some workmen went by — evidently the day ends at
five. I waited until the coast was clear, then went
down to the lane and had a look round where the lorry
had stopped, and saw it was a double bend and therefore
the most hidden point. I walked back through the
wood to the bridge, picked up my taxi and got back
here about half-past seven."

There was silence for some minutes after Hilliard
ceased speaking, then Merriman asked : —

" How long did you say those lorries were away
unloading ? "

" About four hours."

" That would have given them time to unload in
Bordeaux ? "

“ Yes ; an hour and a half in, the same out, and an
hour in the city. Yes, that part of it is evidently right
enough." ^

Again silence reigned, and again Merriman broke it
with a question.

40 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

" You have no theory yourself ? "

** Absolutely none/'

'*Do you think that driver mightn't have some
private game of his own on — ^be somehow doing the
sjmdicate ? "

** What about ypur own argument ? " answered
Hilliard. " Is iMikely Miss Cobum would join the
driver in anything shady ? Remember, your impression
was that she knew."

Merriman nodded.

" That's right," he agreed, continuing slowly :
" Supposing for a moment it was smuggling. How
W'Oiild that help you to explain this affair ? "

" It wouldn’t. I can get no light anywhere."

The tw’o men smoked silently, each busy with
his thoughts. A certain aspect of the matter which
had always lain subconsciously in Merriman's mind
was gradually taking concrete form. It had not
assumed much importance when the two friends were
first discussing their trip, but now that they were
actually at grips with the affair it was becoming more
obtrusive, and Merriman felt it must be faced. ^He
therefore spoke again.

" You know, old man, there's one thing I'm not
quite clear about. This affair that you've discovered
is extraordinarily interesting and all that, but I'm
hanged if I can see what business of ours it is."

Hilliard nodded swiftly.

" I know," he answered quickly. " The same thing
has been bothering me. I felt really mean yesterday
when that girl came by, as if I were spying on her,
you know. I wouldn't care to do it again. But I want
to go on to this place and see into the thing farther,
and so do you."

" I don't know that I do specially."

" We both do," Hilliard reiterated firmly, " and
we're both justified. See here. Take my case first.
I'm in the Customs Department, and it is part of my
job to investigate suspicious import trades. Am I not

THE START OF THE CRUISE 41

justified in trying to find out if smuggling is going on ?
Of course I am. Besides, Merriman, I can't pretend
not to know that if I brought such a thing to light I
should be a made man. Mind you, we're not out to do
these people any harm, only to make sure they're not
harming us. Isn't that sound ? "

** That may be all right for you, but I can't see that
the affair is any business of mine."

I think it is." Hilliard spoke very quietly. " I
think it's your business and mine — ^the business of any
decent man. There*s a chance that Miss Coburn may
be in danger. We should make sure."

Merriman sat up sharply.

" In Heaven's name, what do you men, Hilliard ? "
he cried fiercely. "Wiat possiWe danger could she
be in ? "

" Well, suppose there is something wrong-only
suppose, I say," as the other shook his head impatiently.
" If there is, itll be on a big scale, and therefore the
men whc run it won't be over squeamish. Again, if
there's anything, Miss Coburn knows about it. Oh,
yes, she does," he repeated as Merriman would have
Assented, " there is your own evidence. But if she
knows about some large, shady undertaking, she un-
doubtedly may be in both difficulty and danger. At
all events, as long as the chance exists it's up to us to
make sure."

Merriman rose to his feet and began to pace up and
down, his head bent and a frown on his face. Hilliard
took no notice of him and presently he came back and
sat down again.

" You may be right," he said. " Fll go with you to
find that out, and that only. But I'll not do any
spying."

Hilliard was satisfied with his diplomacy. " I quite
see your point," he said smoothly, " and I confess I
think you are right. We'll go and take a look round,
and if we find things are all right we'll come away
again, and there's no harm done. That agreed ? "
p.p.s. D

4a THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE
Merriman nodded.

" What’s the programme then ? " he asked.

" I think to-morrow we should take the boat round
to the Lesque. It’s a good long run and we mustn’t
be late getting away. Would five be too early for you ? ”
" Eive ? No, I don’t mind if we start now.”

" The tide begins to ebb at four. By five we shall
get the best of its run. We should be out of the river
by nine, and in the Lesque by four in the afternoon.
TTiough that mill is only seventeen miles from here
as the crow flies, it’s a frightful long way round by
sea, most of 130 miles, I should say.” Hilliard looked
at his watch. "Eleven o’clock. Well, what about
going back to the SwaUow and turning in ? ”

They left the Jardin, and, sauntering slowly through
the well-lighted streets, reached the launch and went
on board.

CHAPTER IV

A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION

Merriman was aroused next moriing by the feeling
rather than the sound of stealthy movements going
on not far away. He had not speedily slept after
turning in. The novelty of his position, as well as the
cramped and somewhat knobby bed made by the
locker, and the smell of oils, had made him restless.
But most of all the conversation he had had with
Hilliard had banished sleep, and he had lain thinking
over the adventure to which they had committed
themselves, and listening to the little murmurings and
gurglings of the water running past the piles and
lapping on the woodwork beside his head. The launch
kept slightly on the move, swinging a little backwards
and forwards in the current as it alternately tightened
nnd slackened its mooring ropes, and occasionally
quivering gently as it touched the wharf. Three
separate times Merriman had heard the hour chimed
by the city clocks, and then at last a delightful drowsi-
ness had crept over him, and consciousness had gradually
slipped away. But immediately this shuffling had
begun, and with a feeling of injury he roused himself
to learn the cause. Opening his eyes he found the
cabin was full of light from the dancing reflections of
sunlit waves on the ceiling, and that Hilliard, dressing
on the opposite locker, was the author of the sounds
which had disturbed him.

Good I cried the latter cheerily. You're awake ?
Quarter to five and a fine day."

" Couldn't be," Merriman returned, stretching himself
luxuriously, " I heard it strike two not ten seconds ago."

43

44 the PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

Hilliaitl laughed.

"Well, It's time we were under way anyhow," he
dedared. "Tide's running out this hour. We'll get
a fine lift down to the sea."

Merrimto got up and peeped out of the porthole
above his locker. /

" I suppose you tub over the side ? " he inquired.

" Lord, what sunlight I "

" Rather. But I vote we wait an hour or so until
we're clear of the town. I fancy the water will be
more inviting lower down. We could stop and have
a swim, and then we should be ready for breakfast."

" Right-0. You get way on her, or whatever you do,
and I shall have a shot at clearing up some of the mess
you keep here."

Hilliard left the cabin, and presently a racketing
noise and vibration announced that the engines had
been started. This presently subsided into a not
unpleasing hum, after which a hail came from for-
ward.

" Lend a hand to cast off, like a stout fellow."

Merriman hurriedly completed his dressing and '
went on deck, stopping in spite of himself to look
around before attending to the ropes The sun was low
down over the opposite bank, and transformed the
whole river dovm to the railway bridge into a sheet
of blinding light. Only the southern end of the great
structure was visible stretching out of the radiance,
as well as the houses on the western bank, but these
showed out with incredible sharpness in high hghts
and dark shadows. From where they were lying they
could not see the great curve of the quays, and the
town in spite of the brilliancy of the atmosphere looked
drab and unattractive.

" Going to be hot," Hilliard remarked. " The bow
first, if you don't mind."

He started the screw, and kept the launch alongside
the wharf while Merriman cast off first the bow and
then the stem ropes. Then, steering out towards the

A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION 45

middle of the river, he swung round and they began to
slip rapidly down-stream with the current.

After passing beneath the huge mass of the railway
bridge they got a Letter view of the city, its rather
unimposing buildings clustering on the great curve of
the river to the left, and with the fine stone bridge over
which they had driven on the previous ev^ng stretch-
ing across from bank to bank in front of them. Slipping
through one of its seventeen arches, they passed the
long lines of quays with their rttendant shipping,
until gradually the houses got thinner and they reached
the country beyond.

About a dozen miles below the town Hilliard shut
off the engines, and when the launch had come to rest
on the swift cnrrent they had a glorious dip — in turn.
Then the odour of hot ham mingled in the cabin with
those of paraffin and burnt petrol, and they had an
even more glorious breakfast. Finally the engines were
restarted, and they pressed steadily down the ever-
widening estuary.

About nine .hey got their first glimpse of the sea
horizon, £ind, shortly after, a slight heave gave Merriman
a foretaste of what he must soon expect. The sea was
like a mill pond, but as they came out from behind the
Pointe de Grave they began to feel the effect of the
long, slow ocean swell. As soon as he dared Hilliard
turned southwards along the coast. This brought the
swells abeam, but so large were they in relation to
the launch that she hardly rolled, but was raised and
lowered bodily on an dmost even keel. Though
Merriman was not actually ill, he was acutely unhappy
and experienced a thrill of thanksgiving when, about
five o^clock, they swung round east and entered the
estuary of the Lesque.

** Must go slowly here,'' Hilliard explained, as the
banks began to draw together. “ There's no sailing
chart of this river, and we shall have to feel our way
up."

For some two miles they passed through a belt of

46 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

sand-dunes, great yellow hillocks shaded with dark
gr^n where grasses had seized a precarious foothold.
Behind these the country grew flatter, and sm^,
blighted looking shrubs began to appear, ^ leaning
eastwards in witness to the devastating winds which
blew in from the sea. Farther on these gave place to
stunted trees, and by the time they had gone ten or
twelve miles they were in the pine forest. Presently
they passed under a girder bridge, carrying the railway
Irom Bordeaux to Bayonne and the south.

** We can*t be far from the mill now,*' said Hilliard a
little later. “ I reckoned it must be about three miles
above the railway.*'

They were creeping up very slowly against the
current. The engines, running easily, were making only
a subdued murmur inaudible at any considerable
distance. The stream here was narrow, not more than
about a hundred yards across, and the tall, straight
stenuned pines grew down to the water's edge on either
side. Already, though it was only seven o'clock, it
was growing dusk in the narrow channel, and Hilliard
was beginning to consider the question of moorings
for the night,

** We’ll go round that next bend," he decided, ** and
look for a place to anchor."

Some five minutes later they steered close in against
a rapidly shelving bit of bank, and silently lowered
the anchor some twenty feet from the margin.

"Jove! I'm glad to have that anchor down,"
Hilliard remarked, stretching himself. " Here's eight
o'clock, and we've been at it since five this morning.
Let's have supper and a pipe, and then we'll discuss
our plans."

" And what are your plans ? " Merriman asked, when
an hour later they were lying on their lockers, Hilliard
with his pipe and Merriman with a cigar.

" To-morrow I thought of going up in the collapsible
boat until I came to the works, then landing on the
other bank and watching what goes on at the mill.

A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION 47

I thought of taking my glass and keeping cover myself.
After what you said last night you probably won't
care to come, and I was going to suggest that if you
cared to fish you would find everything you wanted in
that forward locker. In the evening we could meet
here and I would tell you if I saw anything interesting."

Merriman took his cigar from his lips and sat up on
the locker.

" Look here, old man," he said, " I'm sorry I was a
bit ratty last night. I don't know what came over me.
I*ve been thinking of what you said, and I agree that
your view is the right one. I've decided that if you'll
have me, I'm in this thing until we're both satisfied
there's nothing going to hurt either Miss Cobum or our
own country."

Hilliard sprang to his feet and held out his hand.

" Cheers I " he cried. " I'm jolly glad you feel that
way. That’s all I want to do too. But I can't pretend
my motives are altogether disinterested. Just think
of the kudos for us both if there should be something."

" I shouldn't Miild too much on it."

" I'm not, but there is always the possibility."

Next morning the two friends got out the collapsible
boat, locked up the launch, and paddling gently up the
river until the galvanised gable of the Coburn's house
came in sight through the trees, went ashore on the
opposite bank. The boat they took to pieces and hid
under a fallen trunk, then, screened by the trees, they
continued their way on foot.

It was still not much after seven, another exquisitely
clear morning giving promise of more heat. The wood
was silent though there was a faint stir of life all around
them, the hum of invisible insects, the distant singing
of birds as well as the murmur of the flowing water.
Their footsteps fell soft on the carpet of scant grass
and decaying pine needles. There seemed a hush over
everything, as if they were wandering amid the pillars
of some vast cathedral with, instead of incense, the
aromatic smell of the pines in their nostrils. They

48 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

walked on, repressing the desire to step on tiptoe,
until through the trees they could see across the river
the galvanised iron of the shed.

A little bit higher up-stream the clearing of the
trees had allowed some stimted shrubs to cluster on
the river bank. These appearing to offer good cover,

tiie two men crawled forw’ard and took up a position
in their shelter.

The bank they were on was at that point slightly
higher than that on the opposite side, giving them
an excellent view of the wharf and mill as well as of
the clearing generally. The ground, as has already
been stated, was in the shape of a D, the river bounding

A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION 49

the straight side. About half-way up this straight
side was the miU, and about half-way between it and
the top were the shrubs behind which the watchers
were seated. At the opposite side of the mill from
the shrubs, at the bottom of the D pillar, £be Cobum's
house stood on a little knoll.

"Jolly good observation post, this,'* Hilliard re-
marked as he stretched hixuseli at ease and laid his
glass on the ground beside him. "They'll not do
much that we shall miss from her^."

"There doesn't seem to be much to miss at present,"
Merriman answered, looking idly over the deserted
space.

About a quarter to eight a man appeared where the
lane from the road debouched into the clearing. He
walked towards the shed, disappearing presently behind
it. Almost immediately blue smoke began issuing
from the metal chimney in the shed roof. It was
evident he had come before the others to get up steam.

In about half an hour those others arrived, about
fifteen men in dl, a rough-looking lot in labourers' kit.
They also vanished behind the shed, but most of them
reappeared almost immediately, laden with tools, and,
separating into groups, moved off to the edge of the
clearing. Soon work was in full swing. Trees were
being cut down by one gang, the branches lopped
off fallen trunks by another, while a third was loading
up and running the stripped stems along a Decauville
railway to the shed. Almost incessantly the thin
screech of the saws rose penetratingly above the sounds
of hacking and chopping and the calls of men.

"There doesn't seem to be much wrong there,"
Merriman said when they had surveyed the scene for
nearly an hour.

" No," Hilliard agreed, " and there didn't seem to
be much wrong when I inspected the place on Sunday.
But there can*t be anything obviously wrong. If there
is anything, in the nature of things it won't be easy to
find."

50 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

About nine o’clock Mr. Cobum, dressed in gray
flannel, anerged from his house and crossed the grass
to the mill. He remained there for a few minutes, then
they saw him walking to the workers at the forest
edge. He spent some moments with each gang, after-
wards returning to his house.

For nearly an hour things went on as before, and
then Mr. Coburn reappeared at his hall door, this time
accompanied by his daughter. Both were dressed
extraordinarily well for such a backwater of civilisation,
he with a gray Homburg hat and gloves, she as before
in brown, but in a well-cut coat and skirt and a smart
toque and motoring veil. Both were carr5dng dust
coats. Mr. Coburn drew the door to, and they walked
towards the mill and were lost to sight behind it. Some
minutes passed, and between the screaming of the
saws the sound of a motor engine became audible.
After a further delay a Ford car came out from behind
the shed and moved slowly over the uneven sward
towards the lane. In the car were Mr. and Miss Coburn
and a chauffeur.

Hilliard had been following every motion through
his glass, and he now thrust the instrument into his
companion’s hand, crying softly : —

“ Look, Merriman. Is that the lorry driver you
saw ? " Merriman focused the glass on the chauffeur
and recognised him instantly. It was the same dark,
aquiline featured man who had stared at him so resent-
fully on the occasion of his first v^sit to the mill, some
two months earlier.

By Jove, what an extraordinary stroke of luck I ”
Hilliard went on eagerly, All three of them that
know you out of the way I We can go down to the
place now and ask for Mr. Coburn, and maybe we
shall have a chance to see inside of that shed. Let’s
go at once, before they come back.'*

They crawled away from their point of vantage into
the wood, and retracing their steps to the boat, put it
together and carried it to the river. Then rowing

A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION 51

up-stream, they reached the end of the wharf, where
a flight of wooden steps came down into the stream.
Here they went ashore, after making the painter fast
to the woodwork.

The front of the wharf, they had r.een from the boat,
was roughly though strongly made. At the acttial
edge, there was a row of almost vertical piles, ’"pine
trees driven unsquared. Behind these was a second
row, inclined inwards. The feet of both rows seemed
to be pretty much in the same line, but the tops of the
raking row were about six feet behind the others, the
arrangement, seen from the side, being like a F of which
one leg is vertical. These tops were connected by beams,
supporting a timber floor. Behind the raking piles
rough tree stems had been laid on the top of each other
horizontally to hold back the earth filled behind them.
The front was about a hundred feet long, and was
set some thirty feet out in the river.

Parallel to the front and about fifty feet behind it
was the wall of the shed. It was pierced by four doors,
all of which weie closed, but out of each of which ran
a line of narrow gauge railway. These lines were
continued to the front of the wharf and there connected
up by turn-tables to a cross line, evidently with the
idea that a continuous service of loaded trucks could
be sent out of one door, discharged, and returned as
empties through another. Stacks of pit-props stood
ready for loading between the lines.

Seems a sound arrangement," Hilliard commented
as they made their inspection.

“ Quite. Anything I noticed before struck me as
being efiicient."

When they had seen all that the wharf appeared to
offer, they walked round the end of the shed. At the
back were a number of doors, and through these also
narrow gauge lines were laid which connected with
those radiating to the edge of the clearing. Every-
where between the lines were stacks of pit-props as
well as of blocks and cuttings. Three or four of the

52 THE PIT-TROP SYNDICATE

floors were open, and in front of one of them, talking
to some one in the building, stood a man.

Presently he turned and saw them. Immediately
they advanced and Hilliard accosted him.

Good-morning. We are looking for Mr. Cobum.
Is he about ?

No, monsieur,” the man answered civilly, ” he has
gone into Bordeaux. He won*t be back until the
afternoon.”

” That's unfortunate for us,” Hilliard returned
conversationally. ” My friend and I were passing up
the river on our launch, and we had hoped to have
seen him. However, we shall get hold of him later.
This is a fine works you have got here.”

The man smiled. He seemed a superior type to the
others and was evidently a foreman.

”Not so bad, monsieur. We have four saws, but
only two are running to-day.” He pointed to the
door behind him as he spoke, and the two friends
passed in as if to have an idle look round.

The interior was fitted up like that of any other
sawmill, but the same element of design and efficiency
seemed apparent here as elsewhere. The foreman
explained the process. The lopped tninks from the
wood came in by one of two roads through a large
door in the centre of the building. Outside each road
was a saw, its axle running parallel to the roads. The
logs were caught in grabs, slung on to the table of the
saws and, moving automatically all the time, were
cut into lengths of from seven to ten feet. The pieces
passed for props were dumped on to a conveyor which
ran them out of the shed to be stacked for seasoning
and export. The rejected pieces by means of another
conveyor moved to the tliird and fourth saws, where
they were cut into bloclis for firewood, being finally
delivered into two large bins ready for loading onto the
lorries.

The friends exhibited sufficient non-technical interest
to manage to spend a good deal of time over their

A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION 53

survey, drawing out the foranan in conversation and
seeing as much as they could. At one end of the shed
was the boiler house and engine room, at the other the
office, with between It and the mill proper a spacious
garage in which, so they were told, the six lorries
belonging to the syndicate were housed. Three
machines were there, two lying up empty, the third,
with engine running and loaded with blocks, being
ready to start. They would have liked to examine
the number plate, but in the preserve ol the foreman
it was hardly possible. Finally they walked across
the clearing to where felling and lopping was in pro^^ress,
and inspected the operations. W^en they left shortly
after with a promise to return to meet Mr. Cobum, there
was not much about the place that they had missed.

“ That business is just as right as rain," Merriman
declared when they were once more in the boat. " And
that foreman's all right too. I'd stake my life he
wasn't hiding anything. He's not clever enough for
one thing.'

“ So I think too/* Hilliard admitted. “ And yet,
what about the game with the number plates ? What's
the idea of that ? "

" 1 don't know. But all the same I'll take my oath
there's nothing wrong about the timber trade. It's
no go, Hilliard. Let's drop chasing wild geese and get
along with our trip."

" I feel very like it," the other replied as he sucked
moodily at his pipe. " We'll watch for another day
or so, and if we see nothing suspicious we can clear
out."

But that very evening an incident occurred which,
though trifling, revived all their suspicions and threw
them once again into a sea of doubt.

Believing that the Coburns would by that time
have returned, they left the launch about five o'clock
to call. Reaching the edge of the clearing almost
directly behind the house, they passed roimd the latter
and rang.

54 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

Tlie door was opened by Miss Cobum herself. It
happened that the sun was shining directly in her eyes,
and she could not therefore see her visitors' features.

‘'You are the gentlemen who wished to see Mr.
Cobum, I presume ? " she said before Meniman could
speak. “ He is at the works. You will find him in
his office."

Merriman stepped forward, his cap off.

" Don't you remember me. Miss Cobum," he said
earnestly. " I had the pleasure of meeting you in
May, when you were so kind as to give me petrol to
get me to Bordeaux."

Miss Cobum looked at him more carefully, and her
manner, which had up to then been polite, but coolly
self-contained, suddenly changed. Her face grew dead
white and she put her hand sharply to her side, as
though to check the rapid beating of her heart. For
a moment she seemed unable to speak, then, recovering
herself with a visible effort, she answered in a voice
that trembled in spite of herself : —

" Mr. Merriman, isn't it ? Of course I remember.
Won't you come in. My father will be back directly."

She was rapidly regaining self-control, and by the
time Merriman had presented Hilliard her manner had
become almost normal. She led the way to a comfort-
ably furnished sitting-room looking out over the river.

" Hilliard and I are on a motor launch tour across
France," Merriman went on. “ He worked from England
down the coast to Bordeaux, where I joined him, and
we hope eventually to cross the country to the Mediter-
ranean and do the Riviera from the sea."

" How perfectly delightful," Miss Coburn replied.
" I envy you."

" Yes, it's very jolly doing these rivers and canals,"
Hilliard interposed. " I have spent two or three hohdays
that way now, and it has always been worth while."

As they chatted on in the pleasant room the girl
seemed completely ta have recovered her composure,
and yet Merriman could not but realise a constraint

A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION 55

in her maimer, and a look of anxiety in her clear brown
eyes. That something was disturbing her there could
be no doubt, and that something appeared to be not
unconnected with himself. But, he reasoned, there
was nothing connected with himself that could cause
her anxiety, unless it really was that matter of the
number plates. He became conscious of an almost
overwhelming desire to share her trouble whatever
it might be, to let her understand that so far from
willingly causing a shadow to fall across her path
there were few things he would not do to give her
pleasure ; indeed, he began to long to take- her in his
arms, to comfort her. . . .

Presently a step in the hall announced Mr. Cobum's
return.

In here, daddy," his daughter called and the steps
approached the door.

Whether by accident or design it happened that
Miss Coburn was seated directly opposite the door,
while her two visitors were placed where they were
screened by the door itself from the view of any one
entering. Hilliard, his eyes on the girl's face as her
father came in, intercepted a glance of what seemed
to be warning. His gaze swimg round to the new-comer,
and here again he noticed a start of surprise and anxiety
as Mr. Coburn recognised his visitor. But in this case
it was so quickly over that had he not been watching
intently he would have missed it. However, slight
though it was, it undoubtedly seemed to confirm the
other indications which pointed to the existence of
some secret in the life of these two, a secret shared
apparently by the good-looking driver and connected
in some way with the lorry number plates.

Mr. Coburn was very polite, suave and polished as
an accomplished man of the world. But his manner
was not really friendly, in fact, Hilliard seemed to
sense a veiled hostility. A few deft questions put him
in possession of the travellers' ostensible plans, which
he discussed with some interest.

56 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

But," he said to Hilliard, " I am afraid you are
in error in coming up this River Lesque, The canal
you want to get from here is the Midi, it enters the
Mediterranean not far from Narbonne. But the con-
nection from this side is from the Garonne. You should
have gone up-stream to Langon, nearly forty miles
above Bordeaux."

''We had hoped to go from still farther south,"
Hilliard answered. " We have penetrated a good many
of the rivers, or rather I have, and we came up here
to see the sand-dunes and forests of the Landes, which
are new to me. A very desolate country, is it not ? "

Mr. Coburn agreed, continuing courteously : —

" I am glad at all- events that your researches have
brought you into our neighbourhood. We do not
come across many visitors here, and it is pleasant
occasionally to speak one's own language to some one
outside one's household. If you will put up with pot-
luck I am sure we should both be glad — " he looked
at his daughter " — if you would wait and take some
dinner with us now. To-morrow you could explore
the woods, which are really worth seeing "^^hough
monotonous, and if you are at all interested I should
like to show you our little works. But I warn yoif the
affair is my hobby, as well as my business for the time
being, and I am apt to assume others have as great
an interest in it as myself. You must not let me bore
you."

Hilliard, suspicious and critically observant, won-
dered if he had not interrupted a second rapid look
between father and daughter. He could not be sure,
but at all events the girl hastened to second her father's
invitation.

" I hope you will wait for dinner," she said. " As
he says, we see so few people, and particularly so few
English, that it would be doing us a kindness. I'm
afraid that's not very complimentary — " she laughed
brightly — " but it’s at least true."

They stayed, and enjoyed themselves. Mr. Cobum

A COMMERCIAL PROPOSITION 57

proved himself an entertaining host, and his conversa-
tion, though satirical, was worth listening to. He
and Hilliard talked, while Merriman, who was something
of a musician, tried over songs with Miss Coburn. Had
it not been for an uneasy feeling that they were to some
extent playing the part of spies, the evening would
have been a delight to the visitors.

Before they left for the leuncli it was arranged that
they should stay over the following day, lunch with
the Coburns, and go for a tramp through the forest in
the afternoon. They took their leave with cordial
expressions of good will.

“ I say, Merriman,"' Hilliard said eagerly as they
strolled back through the wood, did you notice how
your sudden appearance upset them both ? There
can be no further doubt about it, there's something.
What it may be I don't know, but there is something."

" There's nothing wrong at all events," Merriman
asserted doggedly.

" Not wrong in the sense you mean, no," Hilliard
agreed quickly, " but wrong for all that. Now that I
have met Miss Coburn I can see that your estimate of
her was correct. But any one with half an eye could
see also that she is frightened and upset about some-
thing. There’s something wrong, and she wants a
helping hand."

" Damn you, Hilliard, how you talk," Merriman
growled with a sudden wave of unreasoning rage.
" There's nothing wrong and no need for our meddhng.
Let us clear out and go on with our trip."

Hilliard smiled under cover of darkness.

" And miss our lunch and excursion with the Cobums
to-morrow ? " he asked maliciously.

“ You know well enough what I mean," Merriman
answered irritably. “ Let's drop this childish tom-
foolery about plots and mysteries and try to get
reasonably sane again. Here," he went on fiercely
as the other demurred, " I'll tell you what I'll do if
you like. I'll have no more suspicions or spying, but
p p.s. E

58 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

I'll ask— her—if there is anything wrong: say I
thought there was from her manner and ask her the
direct question* Will that please you ? "

" And get well snubbed for your pains ? " Hilliard
returned, " You've tried that once already. Why
did you not persist in your inquiries about the number
plate when she told you about that driver's shell-
shock ? "

Merriman was silent for a few moments, then burst
out : —

" Well, hang it all, man, what do you suggest ? "

During the evening an idea had occurred to Hilliard
and he returned to it now.

" I'll tell you," he answered slowly, and instinctively
he lowered his voice. "I'll tell you what we must do.
We must see their steamer loaded. I've been thinking
it over. We must see what, if anything, goes on board
that boat beside pit-props."

Merriman only grunted in reply, but Hilliard, realising
his condition, was satisfied.

And Merriman, lying awake that night on the port
locker of the Swallow, began himself to realise his
condition, and to understand that his whole future
life and happiness lay between the dainty hands of
Madeleine Coburn.

CHAPTER V

THE VISIT OF THE GIRONDIN

Next nioming found both the friends moody and
engrossed with their own thoughts.

Merriman was lost in contemplation of the new factor
which had come into his life. It was not the first time
he had fancied himself in love. Like most men of his
age he had had affairs of varying seriousness, which
in due time had run their course and died a natural
death. But this, he felt, was different. At last he
believed he had met the one woman, and the idea
thrilled him with awe and exultation, and filled his
mind to the exclusion of all else.

Hilliard's preoccupation was different. He was
considering in detail his idea that if a close enough
watch could be kept on the loading of the syndicate's
ship it would at least settle the smuggling question.
He did not think that any article could be shipped in
sufficient bulk to make the trade pay, unnoticed by a
skilfully concealed observer. Even if the commodity
were a liquid — ^brandy, for example — ^sent aboard
through a flexible pipe, the thing would be seen.

But two unexpected difficulties had arisen since last
night. Firstly, they had made friends with the Coburns.
Excursions with them were in contemplation, and one
had actually been arranged for that very day. While
in the neighbourhood they had been asxed virtually
to make the manager's house their headquarters, and
it was evidently expected that the two parties should
see a good deal of each other. Under these circum-
stances how were the friends to get away to watch
the loading of the boat ?

59

58 TffiE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

I’ll ask-then it occurred to Hilliard that here, perhaps,
evidence of design ; that this very difficulty had
*^60 deliberately caused by Mr. Cobum with the
object of keeping himself and Merriman under observa-
tion and rendering them harmless. This, he recognised,
was guesswork, but still it might be the truth.

He racked his brains to find some way of meeting
the difficulty, and at last, after considering many plans,
he thought he saw his way. They would as soon as
possible take leave of their hosts and return to Bordeaux,
ostensibly to resume their trip east. From there they
would come out to the clearing by road, and from
the observation post they had already used keep a
close eye on the arrival of the ship and subsequent
developments. At night they might even be able to
hide on the wharf itself. In any case they could hardly
fail to see if anything other than pit-props was loaded.

So far, so good, but there was a second and more
formidable difficulty. Would Merriman consent to this
plan and agree to help ? Hilliard was doubtful. That his
friend had so obviously fallen in love with this Madeleine
Coburn was an unexpected and unfortunate cogiplica-
tion. He could, of course, play on the string that the
girl was in danger and wanted help, but he had already
used that with disappointing results. However, he
could see nothing for it bat lo do his best to talk
Merriman round.

Accordingly, when they wore smoking their after
breakfast pipes, he broached the subject. But as he
had feared, his friend w^ould have none of it.

I tell you I won't do anything of the kind,'' he
said angrily. Here we come, two strangers, poking
our noses into what does not concern us, and we are
met with kindness and iiospitality and invited to join
a family party. Good Lord, Hilliard, I can't believe
that it is really you that suggest it ! You surely don't
mean that you believe that the Cobums are smuggling
brandy ? "

“ Of course not, you old fire-eater," Hilliard answered

THE VISIT OF THE GIRONDIN 6i

good-humouredly, but I do believe, and so must you,
that there is something queer going on. We want to
be sure there is nothing sinister behind it. Surely,
old man, you will help me in that ?

If I thought there was anything wrong you know
rd help you,"' Merriman returned, somewhat mollified
by the other's attitude. "But I don't. It is quite
absurd to suggest the Cobums are engaged in anything
illegal, and if you grant that your whole case falls to
the ground."

Hilliard saw that for the moment at all events he
could get no more. He therefore dropped the subject
and they conversed on other topics until it was time
to go ashore.

Lunch with their new acquaintances passed pleasantiy,
and after it the two friends went with Mr. Cobum to
see over the works. Hilliard thought it better to
explain that they had seen something of them on the
previous day, but notwithstanding this assurance Mr.
Coburn insisted on their going over the whole place
again. He showed them everything in detail, and when
the inspection was complete both men felt more than
ever convinced that the business was genuine, and
that nothing was being carried on other than the
ostensible trade. Mr. Coburn, also, gave them his
views on the enterprise, and these seemed so eminently
reasonable ard natural that Hilliard's suspicions once
more became dulled, and he began to wonder if their
host's peculiar manner could not have been due to
some cause other than that he had imagined.

" There is not so much money in the pit-props as I
had hoped," Mr. Coburn explained. " When we started
here the Baltic trade, which was, of course, the big
trade before the war, had not revived. Now we find
the Baltic competition grooving keener, and our margin
of profit is dwindling. We are handicapped also by
having only a one way traffic. Most of the Baltic
firms exporting pit-props have an import trade in
coal as well. This gives them double freights and pulls

6a THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

down their overhead costs. But it wouldn't pay us
to follow their example. If we ran coal it could only
be to Bordeaux, and that would take up more of our
boat's time than it would be worth."

Hilliard nodded and Mr. Cobum went on : —

" On the other hand, we are doing better in what I
may call ‘sideshows.' We're getting quite a good
price for our firewood, and selling more and more of
it. Three large firms in Bordeaux have put in wood-
buraing fireboxes and use nothing else, and two others
are thinking of following suit. Then I am considering
two developments ; in fact, I have decided on the
first. We are going to put in an air compressor in our
engine-room, and use pneumatic tools in the forest
for felling and lopping. I estimate that will save us
six men. Then I think there would be a market for
pine paving blocks for streets. I haven't gone into this
yet, but I'm doing so."

" That sounds very promising," Hilliard answered.
" I don't know much about it, but I believe soft wood
blocks are considered better than hard."

" They wear more evenly, I understand. I'm J:rying
to persuade the Paris authorities to try a piece of it,
and if that does well it might develop into a big thing.
Indeed, I can imagine our giving up the pit-props
altogether in the future."

After a time Miss Coburn joined them, and, the
Ford car being brought out, the party set off on their
excursion. They visited a part of the wood where the
trees were larger than near the sawmill, and had a
pleasant though uneventful afternoon. The evening
they spent as before at the Cobum's house.

Next day the friends invited their hosts to join
them in a trip up the river. Hilliard tactfully interested
the manager in the various " gadgets " he had fitted
up in the launch, and Merriman's dream of making
tea with Miss Cobum materialised. The more he saw
of the gentle, brown-eyed girl, the more he found his
heart going out to her, and the more it was borne in

THE VISIT OF THE OIRONDIN 63

on him that life without her was becoming a prospect
more terrible than he could bring himself to con-
template.

They went up-stieam on the flood tide for some
twenty miles, until the forest thinned away and they
came on vineyards. There they went ashore, and it
was not until the shades of evening were beginning to
fall that they arrived back at the clearing.

As they swung round the bend in sight of the wharf
Mr. Cobum made an exclamation.

** Hallo 1 " he cried. “ There's the Girondin, She
has made a good run. We weren't expecting her for
another three or four hours."

At the wharf lay a vessel of about 300 tons burden,
with bluff, rounded bows sitting high up out of the
water, a long, straight waist, and a bridge and cluster
of deck-houses at the stem.

" Our motor ship," Mr. Coburn explained with
evident pride. " We had her specially designed for
carrying the pit-props, and also for this river. She
only draws eight feet. You must come on board and
have a look over her."

This was of all things what Hilliard most desired.
He recognised that if he was allowed to inspect her
really thoroughly, it would finally dispel any lingering
suspicion he might still harbour that the syndicate
was engaged in smuggling operations. The two points
on which that suspicion had been founded — the absence
of return cargoes and the locality of the French end of
the enterprise — ^were not, he now saw, really suspicious at
all. Mr. Coburn's remarks met the first of these points,
and showed that he was perfectly alive to the handicap
of a one way trafiic. The matter had not been material
when the industry was started, but now, owing to the
recovery of the Baltic trade after the war, it was be-
coming important, and the manager evidently realised
that it might easily grow sufficiently to kill the pit-prop
trade altogether. And the locality question was even
simpler. The syndicate had chosen the pine forests

64 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

of the Landes for their operations because they wanted
timber close to the sea. On the top of these considera-
tions came the lack of secrecy about the ship. It could
only mean that there really was nothing aboard to
conceal.

On reaching the wharf all four crossed the gangway
to the deck of the Girondin. At close quarters she seemed
quite a big boat. In the bows was a small forecastle,
containing quarters for the crew of five men as well
as the oil tanks and certain stores. Then amidships
was a long expanse of holds, while aft were the officers'
cabins and tiny mess room, galley, navigating bridge,
and last, but not least, the engine-room with its set
of Diesel engines. She seemed throughout a well-
appointed boat, no money having apparently been
spared to make her efficient and comfortable.

She carries between six and seven thousand props
every trip," Mr. Coburn told them, " that is, without
any deck cargo. I dare sa}^ in summer we could put
ten thousand on her if we tried, but she is rather shallow
in the draught for it, and we don't care to run any
risks. Hallo, captain 1 Back again ? " he broke off,
as a man in a blue pilot cloth coat and peaked cap
emerged from below.

The new-comer was powerfully built and would have
been tall, but for rather rounded shoulders and a stoop.
He was clean shaven, with a heavy jaw and thin lips
which were compressed into a narrow line. His ex-
pression was vindictive as well as somewhat crafty,
and he looked a man who would not be turned from his
purpose by nice points of morality or conscience.

Though Hilliard instinctively noted these details,
they did not particularly excite his interest. But his
interest was nevertheless keenly aroused. For he
saw the man, as his gaze fell on himself and Merriman,
give a sudden start, and then flash a quick, questioning
glance at Mr. Coburn. The action was momentary,
but it was enough to bring back with a rush all
Hilliard’s suspicions. Surely, he thought, there must

THE VISIT OF THE GIRONDIN 65

be something if the sight of a stranger upsets all these
people in this way.

But he had not time to ponder the problem. The
captain instantly recovered himself, pulled off his cap
to Miss Coburn and shook hands all round, Mr. Coburn
introducing the visitors.

“ Good trip, captain ? " the manager went on.
“ You're ahead of schedule."

"Not so bad," the new-comer admitted in a voice
and manner singularly cultivated Tor a man in his
position. " We had a good wind behind us most of the
way."

They chatted for a few moments, then started on their
tour of inspection. Though Hilliard was once again
keenly on the alert, the examination, so far as he could
see, left nothing to be desired. They visited every
part of the vessel, from the forecastle storerooms to
the tunnel of the screw shaft, and from the chart-
house to the bottom of the hold, and every question
either of the friends asked was replied to fully and
without hesitation.

That evening, like the preceding, they passed with
the Coburns. The captain and the engineer — a short,
thick-set man named Bulla — strolled up with them and
remained for dinner, but left shortly afterwards on the
plea of matters to attend to on board. The friends
stayed on, playing bridge, and it was late when they
said good-night and set out to walk back to the launch.

During the intervals of play Hilliard's mind had
been busy with the mystery which he believed existed
in connection with the syndicate, and he had decided
that to try to satisfy his curiosity he would go down
to the wharf that night and see if any interesting
operations went on under cover of darkness. The idea
of a midnight loading of contraband no longer appealed
to his imagination, but vaguely he wished to make
vSure that no secret activities were in progress.

He was at least certain that none had taken place
up to the present — that Mr. Coburn was personally

66 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

concerned in, at all events. From the moment they
had first sighted the ship until they had left the
manager's house at the conclusion of the game of
bridge, not five minutes ago, he had been in Mr. Cobum's
company. Next dav it was understood they were to
meet again, so that if the manager wished to carry out
any secret operations they could only be done during
the night.

Accordingly when they reached the launch he turned
to Merriman.

“ You go ahead, old man. I'm going to have a look
round before turning in. Don't wait up for me. Put
out the light when you've done with it and leave the
companion unlatched so that I can follow you in."

Merriman grunted disapprovingly, but offered no
further objection. He clambered on board the launch
and disappeared below, while Hilliard, remaining in
the collapsible boat, began to row silently up-stream
towards the wharf.

The night was dark and still, but warm. The moon
had not risen, and the sky was overcast, blotting out
even the small light of the stars. There was a faint
whisper of air currents among the trees, and the subdued
murmur of the moving mass of water was punctuated
by tiny splashes and gurgles as little eddies formed
round the stem of the boat or wavelets broke against
the banks. Hilliard's eyes had by this time become
accustomed to the gloom, and he could dimly distinguish
the serrated line of the trees agaiiist the sky on either
side of him, and later, the banks of the clearing, with
the faint, ghostly radiance from the surface of the
water.

He pulled on with swift, silent strokes, and presently
the dark mass of the Girondin loomed in sight, with
behind it the wharf and the shed. The ship, being
longer than the wharf, projected for several feet above
and below the latter. Hilliard turned his boat in-
shore with the object of passing between the hull and
the bank and so reaching the landing steps. But as

THE VISIT OF" THE OIRONDIN 67

he rounded the vessel's stem he saw that her starboard
side was lighted up, and he ceased rowing, sitting
motionless and silently holding water, till the boat
began to drift back into the obscurity down-stream.
The wharf was above the level of his head, and he could
only see, appearing over its edge, the tops of the piles
of pit-props. These, as well as the end of the ship's
navigating bridge and the gangway, were illuminated
by, he imagined, a lamp on the side of one of the deck-
houses. But everything was very s^ill, and the place
seemed deserted.

Hilliard's intention had been to land on the wharf
and, crouching behind the props, await events. But
now he doubted if he could reach his hiding place
without coming within the radius of the lamp and so
exposing himself to the view of any one who might
be on the watch on board. He recollected that the port
or river side of the sliip was in darkness, and he thought
it might therefore be better if he could get directly
aboard there from the boat.

Having removed his shoes he rowed gently round
the stem and examined the side for a possible way up.
The ship being light forward was heavily down in the
stern, and he found the lower deck was not more than
six or seven feet above water level. It occurred to
him that if he could get hold of the mooring rope pawls
he might be able to climb aboard. But this after a
number of trials he found impossible, as in the absence
of some one at the oars to steady the boat, the latter
always drifted away from the hull before he could
grasp what he wanted.

He decided he must risk passing through the lighted
area, and, having for the tliird time rowed round the
stem, he brought the boat up as close to the hull as
possible imtil he reached the wharf. Then passing in
between the two rows of piles and feeling Ids way in
the dark, he made the painter fast to a diagonal, so
that the boat would lie hidden should any one examine
the steps with a light. The hull lay touching the

68 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

vtttical piles, and Hilliard, edging along a waling to
the front of the wharf, felt with his foot through the
darkness for the stem belting. The tide was low and
he found this was not more than a foot above the
timber on which he stood. He could now see the deck
light, an electric bulb on the side of the captain's cabin,
and it showed him the top of the taffrail some little
distance above the level of his eyes. Taking his courage
in both hands and stepping upon the belting, he suc-
ceeded in grasping the taffrail. In a moment he was
over it and on the deck, and in another moment he
had slipped round the deck-house and out of the light
of the lamp. There he stopped, listening for an alarm,
but the silence remained unbroken, and he believed
he had been unobserved.

He recalled the construction of the ship. The lower
deck, on which he was standing, ran across the stem
and formed a narrow passage some forty feet long at
erxh side of the central cabin. This cabin contained
the galley and mess-room as well as the first officer's
quarters. Bulla's state-room, Hilliard remembered,
was down below beside the engine-room.

From the lower deck two ladders led to the bridge
deck, at the forward end of which was situated the
captain's state-room. Aft of this building most of the
remaining bridge deck was taken up by two lifeboats,
canvas covered and housed in chogs On the top of
the captain's cabin was the bridge and chart-house,
reached by two ladders which passed up at either side
of the cabin.

Hilliard, reconnoitring, crept round to the port side
of the ship. The lower deck was in complete darkness,
and he passed the range of cabins and silently ascended
the steps to the deck above. Here also it was dark,
but a faint light shone from the window of the captain's
cabin. Stealthily Hilliard tiptoed to the porthole.
The glass was hooked back, but a curtain hung across
the opening. Fortunately, it was not drawn quite
tight to one side, and he found that by leaning up

THE VISIT OF THE GIRON DIN 69

against the bridge ladder he could see into the interior,
A glance showed him that the room was empty.

As he paused irresolutely, wondering what he should
do next, he heard a door open. There was a step on
the deck below, and the door slammed sharply. Some
one was coming to the ladder at the top of which he stood.

Like a shadow Hilliard slipped aft and, as he heard
the unknown ascending the steps, he looked round
for cover. The starboard boat and a narrow strip of
deck were lighted up, but the port boat was in shadow.
He could distinguish it merely as a dark blot on the
sky. Recognising that he must be hidden should the
port deck light be turned on, he reached the boat,
felt his way round the stern, and, crouching down,
crept as far underneath it as he could. There he
remained motionless.

The new-comer began slowly to pace the deck, and
the aroma of a good cigar floated in the still air. Up
and down lie walked with leisurely, unhurried footsteps.
He kepr to the dark side of the ship, and Hilliard,
though he caught glimpses of the red point of the cigar
each time the other reached the stern, could not tell
who he was.

Presently other footsteps announced the approach
of a second individual, and in a moment Hilliard heard
the captain's voice.

Where are you, Bulla ? "

Here," came in the engineer's voice from the
first-corner.

The captain approached and the two men fell to
pacing up and down, talking in low tones. Hilliard
could catch the words when the speakers were near
the stern, but lost them when they went forward to
the break of the poop.

" Confound that man Coburn," he heard Captain
Beamish mutter. " What on earth is keeping him all
this time ? "

The young visitors, doubtless," rumbled Bulla
with a fat chuckle ; " our friends of the evening."

70 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

^*Yes, confound them too/' growled Beamish, who
seemed to be in an unenviable frame of mind. " Damned
nuisance their coming round. I should like to know
what they are after."

" Nothing particular, I should fancy. Probably out
doing some kind of holiday."

They passed round the deck-house and Hilliard could
not hear the reply. When they returned Captain
Beamish was speaking.

“ thinks it would about double our profits,"

Hilliard heard him say. " He suggests a second depot
on the other side, say at Swansea. That would look
all right on account of the South Wales coalfields."

" But we*re getting all we can out of the old hooker
as it is," Bulla objected. '' I don't see how she could
do another trip."

" Archer suggests a second boat."

" Oh." The engineer paused, then went on : " But
that's no new suggestion. That was proposed before
ever the thing was started."

" I know, but the circumstances have changed.
Now we should "

Again they passed out of earshot, and Hilliard took
the opportunity to stretch his somewhat cramped limbs.
He was considerably interested by what he had heard.
The phrase Captain Beamish had used in reference to
the proposed dep6t at Swansea— ‘it would look all
right on account of the coalfields " — ^was suggestive.
Surely that was meaningless unless theie was some
secret activity — ^unless the pu-prop trade was only
a blind to cover some more lucrative and probably
more sinister undertaking ? At first sight it seemed
so, but he had not time to think it out then. The men
were returning.

Bulla was speaking this time, and Hilliard soon
found he was telling a somewhat improper story. As
the two men disappeared round the deck-house he
heard their hoarse laughter ring out. Then the captain
cried : " That you, Cobum ? " the murmur of voices

THE VISIT OF THE OIRONDIN 71

grew louder and more confused and immediately sank.
A door dpened, then closed, and once more siletice
reigned.

To Hilliard it seemed that here was a chance which
he must not miss. Coming out from his hiding place,
he crept stealthily along the deck Li the hope that he
might find out where the men had gone, and learn
something from their conversation.

The captain's cabin was the probable meeting place,
and Hilliard slipped silently back to the window
through which he had glanced before. As he approached
he heard a murmur of voices, and he cautiously leaned
back against the bridge ladder and peeped in round the
partly open curtain.

Three of the four seats the room contained were now
occupied. The captain, engineer and Mr. Cobum sat
round the central table, which bore a bottle of whisky,
a soda syphon and glasses, as well as a box of cigars.
The men seemed preoccupied and a little anxious.
The captain was speaking.

'' And have you found out anything about them ? "
he asked Mr. Cobum.

** Only what I have been able to pick up from their
own conversation," the manager answered. " I wrote
Morton asking him to make inquiries about them, but
of course there hasn't been time yet for a reply.
From their own showing one of them is Seymour
Merriman, junior partner of Edwards & Merriman,
Gracechurch Street, Wine Merchants. That's the dark,
square-faced one — the one who was here before. The
other is a man called Hilliard. He is a clever fellow,
and holds a good position in the Customs Department.
He has had this launch for some years, and apparently
has done the same kind of trip through the Continental
rivers on previous holidays. But I could not find out
whether Merriman had ever accompanied him before."

" But you don't think they smell a rat ? "

Mr. Cobum hesitated.

" I don't think so," he said slow^Iy, " but I’m not at

. 72 . THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

all sure. Merriman, we believe, noticed the number
plate that day. I told you, you remember. Henri is
sure that he did, and Madeleine thinks so too. It's
just a little queer his coming back. But Til swear
they've seen nothing suspicious this time."

"You can't yourself account for his coming back? "

Again Mr. Cobum hesitated.

" Not with any certainty," he said at last, then with
a grimace he continued *. " But I'm a little afraid that
it's perhaps Madeleine."

Bulla, the engineer, made a sudden gesture.

" I thought so," he exclaimed. " Even in the little
1 saw of them this evening I thought there was some-
thing in the wind. I guess that accounts for the whole
thing. What do you say, skipper ? "

The big man nodded.

" I should think so," he admitted with a look of
relief. " I think it's a mare's nest, Coburn. I don't
believe we need worry."

" I'm not so sure," Coburn answered slowly. " I
don't think we need worry about Merriman, but I'm
hanged if I know what to think about Hilliard. He's
pretty observant, and there's not much about this
place that he hasn't seen at one time or another."

" All the better for us, isn't it ? " Bulla queried.

" So far as it goes, yes," the manager agreed, " and
I've stuffed him with yarns about costs and about
giving up the props and going in for paving blocks
and so on which I think he swallowed. Bui why should
he want to know what we are doing ? What possible
interest can the place have for him — unless he suspects ?"

" They haven't done anything suspicious them-
selves ? "

" Not that I have seen."

" Never caught them trying to pump any of the
men ? "

" Never."

Captain Beamish moved impatiently.

" I don't think we need worry," he repeated with a

THE VISIT OF THE GIRONDIN fs

trace of aggression in his manner. Let's get on to
business. Have you heard from Archer ? " »

Mr. Coburn drew a paper from his pocket, while
Hilliard instinctively bent forward, believing he was
at last about to learn something which would throw
a light on these mysterious happerings. But alas for
him ! Just as the manager began to speak he heard
steps on the gangway which passed on board and a
man began to climb the starboard ladder to the upper
deck.

Hilliard's first thought was to letum to his hiding
place under the boat, but he could not bring himself to
go so far away from the centre of interest, and before
he had consciously thought out the situation he fomid
himself creeping silently up the ladder to the bridge.
There he believed he would be safe from observatioi^
while remaining within earshot of the cabin, and if
any one followed him up the ladder he could creep
round on the roof of the cabin to the back of the chart-
house, of sight.

The new-comer tapped at the captain’s door and
after a shout ul ** Come in," opened it. There was a
moment's silence, then Cobum's voice said : —

" We were just talking of you, Henri. The skipper
wants to know " and the door closed.

Hilliard was not long in slipping back to his former
position at the porthole.

" By Jove ! " Bulla was saying. " And to think that
two years ago I was working a little coaster at twenty
quid a month I And you, Coburn ; two years ago
you weren't much better fixed, if as well, eh ? "

Cobum ignored the question.

" It's good, but it's not good enough," he declared.

" This thing can’t mn for ever. If we go on too long
somebody will tumble to it. What we want is to try
to get our piles made and close it down before anything
happens. We ought to have that other ship running.
We could' double our income with another ship and
another depot. And Swansea seems to me the place."
p.p.s. F

74 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

Bulla and I were just talking of that before you
came aboard/' the captain answered, '*You know
we have considered that again and again, and we have
always come to the conclusion that we are pushing the
thing strongly enough."

"Our organisation has improved since then. We
can do more now with less risk. It ought to be recon-
sidered. Will you go into the thing, skipper ? "

" Certainly. FU bring it before our next meeting.
But I won't promise to vote for it. In our business
it's not difficult to kill the goose, etcetera."

The talk drifted to other matters, while Hilliard,
llirilled to the marrow, remained crouching motionless
beneath the porthole, concentrating all Ids attention
on the conversation in the hope of catching some word
or phrase which might throw further light on the
mysterious enterprise under discussion. While the
affair itself was being spoken of he had almost ceased
to be aware of his surroundings, so eagerly had he
listened to what was being said, but now that the
talk had turned to more ordinary subjects he began
more or less subconsciously to take stock of his own
position.

He realised in the first place that he was in very
real danger. A quick movement either of the men in
the cabin or of some member of the crew might lead
to his discovery, and he had the uncomfortable feeling
that he might pay the forfeit for his curiosity with his
life. He could imagine the manner in which the
" accident " would be staged. Doubtless his body,
showing all the appearance of death from drowning,
would be found in the river with alongside it the upturned
boat as evidence of the cause of the disaster.

And if he should die, his secret would die with him.
Should he not then be content with what he had learned
and clear out while he could, so as to ensure his know-
ledge being preserved? He felt that he ought, and
yet the desire to remain in the hope of doing still better
was overpowering.

THE VISIT OF THE GIRONDIN Ya

But as he hesitated the power of choice was taken
away. The men in the cabin were making a move.
Cobum finished his whisky, and he and Henri rose to
their feet.

‘‘Well," the former said, ''there's one o'clock.
We must be off."

The others stood up also, and at the same moment
Hilliard crept once more up the ladder to the bridge
and crouched down in the shadow of the chart-house.
Hardly was he there when the men came out of the
cabin to the deck beneath the bridge, then with a
brief exchange of " Good-nights," Coburn and the
lorry driver passed down the ladder, crossed the gang-
way and disappeared behind a stack of pit-props on
the wharf. Bulla with a grunted " Night " descended
the port steps, and Hilliard heard the door leading
below open and shut ; the starboard deck lamp snapped
off, and finally the captain's door shut and a key turned
in the lock. Some fifteen minutes later the faint light
from the porthole vanished and all was dark and silent.

But for more than an hour Hilliard remained crouch-
ing motionless on the bridge, fearing lest some sound
that he might make in his descent should betray him
if the captain should still be awake. Then, a faint light
from the rising moon appearing towards the east, he
crept from his perch, and crossing the gangway, reached
the wharf and presently his boat.

Ten minutes later he was on board the launch.

CHAPTER VI

A CHANGE OF VENUE

Still making as little noise as possible, Hilliard
descended to the cabin and turned in. Merriman was
asleep, and the quiet movements of the other did not
awake him.

But Hilliard was in no frame of mind for repose.
He was too much thrilled by the adventure through
which he had passed, and the discovery which he had
made. He therefore put away the idea of sleep, and
instead gave himself up to consideration of the situation.

He began by trying to marshall the facts he had
already learnt. In the first place, there was the great
outstanding point that his suspicions were well founded,
that some secret and mysterious business was being
carried on by this syndicate. Not only, therefore,
was he justified in all he had done up to the present,
but it was clear he could not leave the matter where
it stood. Either he must continue his investigations
further, or he must report to headquarters w^hat he had
overheard.

Next, it seemed likely that the S3mdicate consisted
of at least six persons ; Captain Beamish (probably
from his personality the leader.) BuUa, Coburn, Henri,
and the two men to whom reference had been made.
Archer, who had suggested forming the depot at Swansea,
and Morton, who had been asked to make inquiries as to
himself and Merriman. Madeleine Cobum's name had
also been mentioned, and Hilliard wondered whether
she could be a member. Like his companion he could
not believe that she would be willingly involved, but
on the other hand Coburn had stated that she had

7a

A CHANGE OF VENUE 77

reported her suspicion that Merriman had noticed the
changed number plate, Hilliard could come to no
conclusion about her, but it remained clear that there
were certainly four members, and probably six or more.

But if so, it followed that the operations must be on
a fairly large scale. Educated men did not take up a
risky and presumably illegal enterprise unless the
prize was worth having. It was unlikely that £1000
a year would compensate any one of them for the risk.
But that would mean a profit of from £4000 to £6000
a year. Hilliard realised that he was here on shaky
giound, though the balance of probability was in his
favour.

It also seemed certain that the whole pit-prop business
was a sham, a mere blind to cover those other operations
from which the money came. But when Hilliard came
to ask himself what those operations were, he found
himself up against a more difficult proposition.

His origind brandy smuggling idea recurred to him
with renewed force, and as he pondered it he saw that
there really was something to be said for it. Three
distinct consiaerations were consistent with the theory.

There was first of all the size of the fraud. A theft
of £4000 to £6000 or more a year implied as victim a
large corporation. The sum would be too big a pro-
portion of the income of a moderate sized firm for the
matter to remain undiscovered, and, other things
being equal, the larger the corporation the more
difficult to locate the leakage.

But what larger corporation was there than a nation,
and what so easy to defraud as a government ? And
how could a government be more easily defrauded than
by smuggling ? Here again Hilliard recognised he was
only theorising ; still the point had a certain weight.

The second consideration was also inconclusive. It
was that all the people who, he had so far learnt, were
involved, were engaged in transport operations. The
ostensible trade also, the blind under which the thing
was worked, was a transport trade. If brandy smuggling

78 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

were in progress something of precisely this kind would
have to be devised. In fact anything more suitable
than the pit-prop business would be hard to discover.

The third point he had thought of before. If brandy
were to be smuggled, no better locality could have been
found for the venture than this country round about
Bordeaux. As one of the staple products of the district,
brandy could be obtained here, possibly more easily
than anywhere else.

The converse argument was equally inconclusive.
What hypothesis other flian that of brandy smuggling
could meet the facts ? Hilliard could not think of any,
but he recognised that his failure did not prove that
none existed.

On the other hand, in spite of these considerations
he had to admit that he had seen nothing which in
the slightest degree supported the theory, nor had he
heard anything which could not equally well have
referred to something else.

But whatever their objective, he felt sure that the
members of the syndicate were desperate men. They
were evidently too far committed to hesitate over
fresh crime to keep their secret. If he wished to pursue
his investigations, it was up to him to do so without
arousing their suspicions.

As he pondered over the problem of how this was to
be done* he became more and more conscious of its
difficulty. Such an inquiry to a trained detective could
not be easy, but to him, an amateur at the game, it
seemed wellnigh impossible. And particularly he found
himself handicapped by the intimate terms with the
. Cobums on which he and Merriman found themselves.
For instance, that very morning an excursion had
been arranged to an old chateau near Bordeaux. How
could he refuse to go ? And if he went how could he
watch the loading of the Girondin ?

He had suspected before that the Cobum's hospitality
was due to something other than friendliness, and now
he was sure of it. No longer had he any doubt that

A CHANGE OF VENUE 79

the object was to get him out of the way, to create that
very obstacle to investigation which it had created.
And here again Miss Cobum had undoubtedly lent
herself to the plot.

He was not long in coming to the conclusion that
the sooner he and Merriman took leave of the Coburns
the better. Besides this question of handicap, he was
afraid with so astute a man as Cobum he would sooner
or later give himself awa3^

The thought led to another. Would it not be wise
to keep Merriman in ignorance of what he had learned,
at least for the present ? Merriman was an open,
straightforward chap, transparently honest in all his
dealings. Could he dissemble sufficiently to hide his
knowledge from his hosts ? In particular could he
deceive Madeleine ? Hilliard doubted it. He felt that
under the special circumstances his friend's discretion
could not be relied on. At all events Merriman's
appearance of ignorance would be more convincing if
it were genuine.

On the whole, Hilliard decided, it would be better
not to tell him. Let them once get away from the
neighbourhood, and he could share his discoveries and
they could together decide what was to be done. But
first, to get away.

Accordingly next morning he broached the subject.
He had expected his friend would strenuously oppose
any plan involving separation from Madeleine Coburn,
but to his relief Merriman immediately agreed with
him.

** I've been thinking we ought to clear out too," he
declared un^ammatically. “It's not good enough
to be accepting continuous hospitality which you can't
return,"

Hilliard assented carelessly, remarked that if they
parted the following morning they could reach the
Riviera by the following Friday, and let it go at that.
He (fid not refer again to the subject until they reached
the Cobum s door, when he asked quickly : “ By the

8o THE PIT-PBOP SYNDICATE

way, will you tell them we're leaving to-morrow or
shall I ? "

" I will," said Merriman, to his relief.

The Girondin was loading props as they set out in
the Ford car, and the work was still in progress on
their return in the late afternoon. Mr. Cobum had
excused himself from joining the party on the ground
of business, but Captain Beamish had taken his place,
and had proved himself a surprisingly entertaining
companion. At the old chateau they had a pleasant
al fresco lunch, after which Captain Beamish took a
number of photographs of the party with his pocket
Kodak.

Merriman's announcement of his and Hilliard's
impending departure had been met with a chorus of
regrets, but though these sounded hearty enough,
Hilliard noticed that no definite invitation to stay
longer was given.

The friends dined with the Cobums for the last time
that evening. Mr. Coburn was a little late for the meal,
sa3dng he had waited on the wharf to see the loading
completed, that all the cargo was now aboard, and
that the Girondin would drop down to sea on the •flood
tide in the early morning.

** We shall have her company so far,'' Hilliard
remarked. " We must start early too, so as to make
Bordeaux before dark."

When the time came to say good-bye, Mr. Coburn
and his daughter went down to the launch with their
departing visitors. Hilliard was careful to monopolise
the manager’s attention, so as to give Merriman his
innings with the girl. His friend did not tell him what
passed between them, but the parting was evidently
affecting, as Merriman retired to his locker practically
in silence.

Five o’clock next morning saw the friends astir, and
their first sight on reaching the deck was the Girondin
coming down-stream. They exchanged hand waves with
Captain Beamish on the bridge, then, swinging their

A CHANGE OF VENUE 8i

own craft, followed in the wake of the other. A couple
of hours later they were at sea.

Once again they were lucky in their weather. A sun
of molten glory poured down from the clearest of blue
skies, burnishing a track of intolerable brilliance across
the water. Hardly a ripple appeared on the smooth
surface, though they rose and fell gently to the flat
ocean swell. They were running up the coast about
four miles out, and except for the Girondin^ now almost
hull dowm to the north-west, they had the sea to them-
selves. It was hot enough to make the breeze caused
by the launch's progress pleasantly cool, and both men
lay smoking on the deck, lazily watching the water
and enjoying the easy motion. Hilliard had made the
wheel fast, and reached up every now and then to give
it a slight turn.

Jolly, I call this," he exclaimed as he lay down
again after one of these interruptions. " Jolly sun,
jolly sea, jolly everything, isn't it ? "

" Rather. Evan a landlubber like me can appreciate
it. But you don't often have it like this, I bet."

" Oh, I don't know," Hilliard answered absently,
and then, swinging round and facing his friend he went
on : —

" I say, Merriman, I've something to tell you that
will interest you, but I'm afraid it won't please you."

Merriman laughed contentedly.

" You arouse my curiosity anyway," he declared.

** Get on and let's hear it."

Hilliard answered quietly, but he felt excitement
arising in him as he thought of the disclosure he was
about to make.

" First of all," he began, speaking more and more
earnestly as he proceeded. " I have to make you an
apology. I quite deliberately deceived you up at the
clearing, or rather I withheld from you knowledge
that I ought to have shared. I had a reason for it, but
I don't know if you’ll agree that it was sufficient."

" TeU me."

8a THE Pif-PROP SYNDICATE

“You rotueuiber the night before last when I rowed
up to the wharf after we had left the Cobum's ? You
thought my suspicions were absurd, or worse. Well,
they weren't. I made a discovery."

Merriman sat up eagerly, and listened intently as
the other recounted his adventure aboard the Girondin.
HiUiard kept nothing back ; even the reference to
Madeleine he repeated as nearly word for word as
possible, finally giving a bowdlerised version of his
reasons for keeping his discoveries to himself while
they remained in the neighbourhood.

Merriman received the news with a dismay approach-
ing positive horror. He had but one thought —
Madeleine. How did the situation affect her? Was
she in trouble ? In danger ? Was she so entangled
that she could not get out ? Never for a moment did
it enter his head that she could be willingly involved.

" My God 1 HiUiard," he cried hoarsely, " whatever
does it all mean ? Surely it can't be criminal ? They "
— ^he hesitated slightly, and Hilliard read in a different
pronoun — " they never would join in such a thing."

Hilliard took the bull by the horns.

" That Miss Cobum would take part in anything
shady I don't for a moment believe," he declared, " but
I'm afraid I wouldn't be so suie of her father."

Merriman shook his head and groaned.

" I know you're right," he admitted to the other's
amazement. " I saw — I didn't mean to tell you, but
now I may as well. That first evening, when we went
up to call, you probably don't remember, but after he
had learned who we were he turned round to pull up
a chair. He looked at you ; I saw his face in a mirror.
HiUiard, it was the face of a — I was going to say, a
devil — ^with hate and fear. But the look passed
instantly. When he turned round he was smiling. It
was so quick I half thought I was mistaken. But I
know I wasn't."

" I saw fear on his face when he recognised you that
same evening," HiUiard replied. " We needn't blink

A CHANGE OF VENUE 83

it. Merrunan. Whether willingly or unwillingly, Mr.
Cobum's in the thing. That's as certain as that we're
here."

" But what is it ? Have you any theory ?

"No, not really. There was that one of brandy
smuggling that I mentioned before. I suggest it because
I can suggest nothing else, but I admit I saw no evidence
of it."

Merriman was silent for several minutes as the boat
slid over the smooth water. Then wi+h a change of
manner he turned once more to his friend.

" I suppose we couldn't leave it alone ? Is it our
business after all ? "

" If we don't act we become accessories, and besides
we leave that girl to fight her own battles."

Merriman clenched his fists and once more silence
reigned. Presently he spoke again.

" You had something in your mind ? "

" I think we must do one of two things. Either
continue ^ur investigations until we learn what is going
on, or else clear out and tell the police what we have
learnt."

Merriman made a gesture of dissent.

" Not that not that," he cried. " Anything rather
than the police."

Hilliard gazed vacantly on the long line of the coast.

" Look here, old man," he said, " wouldn't it be better
if we discussed this thing quite directly ? Don't think
I mean to be impertinent — ^God knows I don't — ^but
am I not right in thinking you want to save Miss
Coburn all annoyance, and her father also, for her
sake."

" We needn't talk about it again," Merriman said in
a hard voice, looking intently at the stem of the mast,

" but if it's necessary to make things clear, I want to
marry her if she'll have me."

" I thought so, old man, and I can only say, — ^The
best of luck ! As you say, then, we musn't call in the
police, and as we can't leave the thing, we must go on

^4 Tm PIT-?IiOP SYNDICATE

with oitt own inqtiiry. I would suggest that if we fin'd
out tiieir scheme is something illegal, we see Mr. Coburn
and give lum the chance to get out before we lodge our
information/'

“ I suppose that is the only way," Merriman said
doubtfully. After a pause Hilliard went on.

" I'm not very clear, but I'm inclined to think we
can do no more good here at present. I thjnk we should
try the other end."

" The other end ? "

" Yes, the unloading of the ship and the disposal of
the pit-props. You see, the first thing we're up against
is that these people are anything but fools, and the
second is that they already suspect us and will keep
a watch on us. A hundred to one they make inquiries
and see that we really do go through that Canal du Midi
to the Riviera. We can't hang about Bordeaux without
their knowing it."

" That’s true."

" Of course," Hilliard went on, " we can see now
we made a frightful mess of things by calling on the
Coburns or letting Mr. Coburn know we were about,
but at the time it seemed the wisest thing."

" It was the only thing," Merriman asserted positively.
" We didn't know then there was anything wrong,
and besides, how could we have hidden the launch ? "

" Well, it's done an5rway. We needn't worry about
it now, except that it seems to me that for the same
reason the launch has served its purpose. We can't
use it here because the people at the clearing know it,
and we can't use it at the unloading end for all on board
the Girondin would recognise it directly they saw it."

Merriman nodded without speaking and Hilliard
continued : —

" I think therefore that we should leave the launch
at Bordeaux to-night and go back to London overland.

I shall write Mr. Cobum saying we have found Poste
Restante letters recalling us. You can enclose a note
to Miss Cobum if you like. When we get to town we

A CHANGE OF VENUE 85

apply at the Enquiry Office at Lloyd's to fold out
where the Girondin calls in England. Then let us gw
there and make inquiries. The launch can be worked
back to England some other time. How does that
strike you ?

Seems all right. But I should leave the launch at
Bordeaux. We may have to come back, and it would
furnish us wi^h an excuse for c^ir presence if we were
seen."

HiUiard gave a little sigh of relief. Merriman's
reply took a weight ofi his mind, not because of the
value of the suggestion — ^though in its way it was quite
useful — but because of its indication of Merriman's
frame of mind. He had feared that because of Miss
Cobum's connection with the affair he would lose his
friend's help, even that they might quarrel. And now
he saw these fears were groundless. Thankfully he
recognised that they would co-bperate as they had
originally intended.

“ Jolly good notion, that," he answered cordially.

" I confess," Merriman went on slowly, " that I
should have liked to stay in the neighbourhood and
see if we coiddn't find out something more about the
lorry numbers. It may be a trivial point, but it's the
only direct and definite thing we know of. All the rest
are hints or suspicions or probabilities. But here we
have a bit of mystery, tangible, in our hands, as it
were. Why were those number plates changed ? It
seems to me a good point of attack."

" I thought of that too and I agree with every word
you say," Hilliard replied eagerly, " but there is the
question of our being suspects. I believe we shall be
watched out of the place, and I feel sure our only chance
of learning anything is to satisfy them of our bona fides/*

Merriman agreed, and they continued discussing the
matter in detail, at last deciding to adopt Hilliard's
suggestion and set to work on the English end of the
mysterious traffic.

About two that afternoon they swung round the

86 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

Pointe de Grav^e into the estuary of the Gironde. The
tide, which was then flowing, turned when they were
some two-thirds of the way up, and it was well on to
seven o'clock when they made fast to the same decaying
wharf from which they had set out. Hilliard saw the
owner, and arranged with him to let the launch lie
at one of his moorings until she should be required.
Then the friends went up tow, got some dinner, wrote
their letters, and took the night train for Paris. Next
evening they were in London.

" I say," Hilliard remarked when later on that same
evening they sat in his rooms discussing their plans,

I believe we can find out about the Girondin now.
My neighbour on the next landing above is a shipping
man. He might have a copy of Lloyd's Register. I
shall go and ask him."

In a few moments he returned with a bulky volume.
** One of the wonders of the world, this, I always think,"
he said as he began to turn over the pages. " It gives,
or is supposed to give, information about everything
over a hundred tons that floats anywhere over the
entire globe. It’ll give the Girondin an5rway." He
ran his finger down the columns. " Ah ! what's^ this ?
Motor ship Girondin, 350 tons, built and so on. 'The
Landes Pit-Prop Syndicate, Ferriby, Hull.' Hull, my
son, There we are."

" Hull ? I know Hull," Merrirnan remarked laconi-
cally. " Rotten place."

" We shall find it a jolly interesting place before we're
through, it seems to me," his Iriend replied. " Let's
hope so anyway."

" What's the plan, then ? I'm on provided I have a
good sleep at home to-night first."

" Same here," Hilliard agreed as he filled his pipe.
" I suppose Hull by an early train to-morrow is the
scheme."

Merrirnan borrowed his friend's pouch and refilled
his pipe in his turn.

" You think so ? " he said slowly. " Well, I'm not

A CHANGE OF VENUE 87

so sure. Seems to me we can very easily dish ourselves
if we're not careful."

“ How so ? "

**We agreed these folk were wideawake and sus-
picious of us. Very well. Directly our visit to them
is over, we change our plans and leave Bordeaux.
Will it not strike them that our interest in the trip was
only on their account ?

" I don't see it. We gave a good reason for leaving."

" Quite ; that's what I'm coming to We told them
you were recalled to your office. But what about that
man Morton, that was to spy on us before ? What's
to prevent them asking him if you really have
returned ? "

Hilliard sat up sharply.

" By Jove ! " he cried. " I never thought of that."

" And there's another thing," Merriman went on.
" We turn up at Hull, find the syndicate's depot and
hang about. The fellow in charge there sees us. Well,
that's al’ right if he hasn't had a letter from France
describing us and enclosing a copy of that group that
Captain Beamish took at the chateau."

Hilliard v/histled.

" Lord I It's not going to be so simple as it looks,
is it ? "

" It isn't. And what's more, we can't afford to make
any mistakes. It's too dangerous."

Hilliard got up and began to pace the room.

" I don't care," he declared savagely. " I'm going
through with it now no matter what happens."

" Oh, so am I, for the matter of that. All I say is
we shall have to show a bit more intelligence this time."

For an hour more they discussed the matter, and
at last decided on a plan. On the following morning
Hilliard was to go to his ojBSice, see his chief and ask for
an extension of leave, then hang about and interview
^ many of his colleagues as possible, telling them he
had been recalled, but was not now required. His
chief was not very approachable, and Hilliard felt sure

88 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

the subject would not be broached to him. In the
evening they would go down to Hull.

This programme they would have carried out, but
for an unforeseen event. While Hilliard was visiting
his office Merriman took the opportunity to call at his,
and there he learned that Edwards, his partner, had
been taken ill the morning before. It appeared there
was nothing seriously wrong, and Edwards expected
to be back at work in three or four days, but until his
return Merriman was required, and he had reluctantly
to telephone the news to Hilliard. But no part of
their combined holiday was lost. Hilliard by a stroke
of unexpected good fortune was able to spend the
same time at work, and postpone the remainder of his
leave until Merriman was free. Thus it came to pass
that it was not until six days later than they had
intended that the two friends f)acked their bags for
Hull.

They left King’s Cross by the 5.40 p.m. train, reaching
their destination a little before eleven. There they
took rooms at the George, a quiet hotel in Baker Street,
close to the Paragon Station.

CHAPTER VII

THE FERRIBY DEPOT

The two friends, eager and excited by their adventure,
were early astir next morning, and! before breakfast
Hilliard went out and bought the best map of the
city and district he could find.

"Why, Ferriby's not in the town at all," he ex-
claimed after he had studied it for some moments.
" It's up the river — ^must be seven or eight miles up
by the look of it. The North Eastern runs through it
and there's a station. We'd better go out there and
prospect."

Merriman agreeing, they called for a time-table,
found there was a train at 10.35, and going down to
Paragon Station, got on board.

After clearing the suburbs the line came down close
to the river, and the two friends kept a good look out
for the depot. About four and a half miles out they
stopped at a station called Hessle, then a couple of
miles farther their perseverance was rewarded and
they saw a small pier and shed, the latter bearing in
large letters on its roof the name of the syndicate.
Another mile and a half brought them to Ferriby,
where they alighted.

" Now what about walking back to Hessle," Hilliard
suggested, " and seeing what we can see ? "

They followed the station approach road inland until
they reached the main thoroughfare, along which they
turned eastwards in the direction of Hull. In a few
minutes they came in sight of the depot, half a mile
off across the fields. A lane led towards it, and this
they followed until it reached the railway. There it
p.p.s. 89 G

90 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

turned in the direction of Hull and ran parallel to the
line for a diort distance, doubling back, as they l^ned
afterwards, until it reached the main road halPway
to Hessle. ITie railway tracks were on a low bank,
and the men could just see across them to the syndicate's
headquarters.

The view was not very good, but so far as they
could make out, the depot was a replica of that in
the Landes clearing. A timber wharf jutted out into
the stream, apparently of the same size and construction
as that on the River Lesque. Behind it was the same
kind of galvanised iron shed, but this one, besides
having windows in the gables, seemed the smaller of
the two. Its back was only about a hundred feet from
the railway, and the space between was taken up by
a yard surrounded by a high galvanised iron fence,
above which appeared the tops of many stacks of pit-
props. Into the yard ran a siding from the railway.
From a door in the fence a path led across the line to
a wicket in the hedge of the lane, beside which stood a
'' Beware of the Train " notice. There was no sign of
activity about the place, and the gates through which
the siding entered the enclosure were shut.

Hilliard stopped and stood looking over.

How the mischief are we to get near that place
without being seen ? " he questioned. It's like a
German pill-box. There’s no cover anyv^here about."

It was true. The country immediately surrounding
the depot was singularly bare. It was flat except for
the low bank, four or five feet high, on which lay the
railway tracks. There were clumps of trees farther
inland, but none along the shore, and the nearest
building, a large block like a factory with beside it a
cottage, was at least three himdred yards away in the
Hull direction.

** Seems an element of design in that, eh, Hilliard ? "
Merriman remarked as they turned to continue their
walk. " Considering the populous country we're in,
you could hardly find a more isolated place."

9t

THE FERRIBY DEPOT

Hilliard nodded as they turned away.

I’ve just been thinking that. They could carry on
any tricks they liked there and no one would be a bit
the wiser."

They moved on towards the factory-like building.
It was on the inland side of the railway, and the lane
swung away from the line and passed what was evidently
its frontage. A siding ran in^o its rear, and there were
connections across the main lines and a signal cabin in
the distance. A few yards on the nearer side stood the
cottage, which they now saw was empty and dilapidated.

" I say, Hilliard, look there ! " cried Merriman
suddenly.

They had passed along the lane until the fa9ade of
the building had come into view and they were able
to read its signboard: "Ackroyd & Holt, Licensed
Rectifiers." ;

" I thought it looked like a distillery," cq^tinued
Merriman in considerable excitement, Jove I

Hilliard, that's a find and no mistake ! Pretty suggestive
that, isn't it ? "

Hilliard was not so enthusiastic,

" I'm not so sure," he said slowly. " You mean
that it supports my brandy smuggling.jtheory ? Just
how ? "* ^ .

" Well, what do you think yourself We suspect
brandy smuggling, and here we find at the import end

9a THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

of the concern the nearest building in an isolated
region is a distillery— a rectifying house, mind you I
Isn*t that a matter of design too ? How better could
they dispose of their stuff than by dumping it on to
rectifiers."

" You distinguish between distillers and rectifiers ? "

" Certainly ; there's less check on rectifiers. Am I
not right in saying that while the regulations for the
measurement of spirit actually produced from the
stills are so thorough as to make fraud almost impossible,
rectifiers, because they don't themselves produce
spirit, but merely refine what other firms have produced,
are not so strictly looked after ? Rectifiers would
surely find smuggled stuff easier to dispose of than
distillers."

Hilliard shook his head.

" Perhaps so, theoretically," he admitted, " but in
practice there's nothing in it. Neither could wojrk a
fraud like that, for both are watched far too closely
by our people. I'm afraid I don't see that this place
being here helps us. Surely it's reasonable to suppose
that the same cause brought Messrs. Ackroyd & Holt
that attracted the syndicate? Just that it's* a good
site. Where in the district could you get a better?
Cheap ground and plenty of it, and steamer and rail
connections."

" It's a coincidence anyw^ay."

" I don't see it. In any case unless we can prove
that the ship brings brandy the question doesn't arise."

Merriman shrugged his shoulders good-humouredly,

" That's a blow," he remarked. " And I was so sure
I had got hold of something good ! But it just leads
us back to the question that somehow or other we
must inspect that depot, and if we find nothing we
must watch the Girondin unloading. If we can only
get near enough it would be impossible for them to
discharge anything in bulk without our seeing it."

Hilliard murmured an agreement, and the two men
strolled on in silence, the thoughts of each busy with

THE FERRIBY DEPOT 92

the problem Merriman had set. Both were redising
that detective work was a very much more difficult
business than they had imagined. Had not each had
a strong motive for continuing the investigation, it is
possible they might have grown faint-hearted. But
Hilliard had before him the vision of the kudos which
would accrue to him if he coula unmask a far-reaching
concpiracy, while to Merriman the freeing of Madeleine
Coburn from the toils in which she seemed to have been
enmeshed had become of more importance than anything
else in the world.

The two friends had already left the distillery hdf
a mile behind, when Hilliard stopped and looked at
his watch.

“ Ten minutes to twelve/' he announced. " As we
have nothing to do let's go back and watch that place.
Something may happen during the afternoon, and if
not we’ll look out for the workmen leaving and see if
we can’t pick up something from them/'

They retraced their steps past the distillery and
depot, then creeping into a little wood, sat down on a
bank within sight of the enclosure and waited.

The day was hot and somewhat enervating, and
both enjoyed the relaxation in the cool shade. They
sat for the most part in silence, smoking steadily, and
turning over in their minds the problems with which
they were faced. Before them the country sloped
gently down to the railway bank, along the top of
which the polished edges of the rails gleamed in the
midday sun. Beyond was the wide expanse of the
river, with a dazzling track of shimmering gold stretching
across it and hiding the low-lying farther shore with
its brilliancy. A few small boats moved slowly near
the shore, while farther out an occasional larger steamer
came into view going up the fairway to Goole. Every
now and then trains roared past, the steam hardly
visible in the dry air.

The afternoon dragged slowly but not unpleasantly
away, until about five o'clock they observed the first

94 the pit-prop syndicate

sign of activity about the syndicate's depot which
had taken place since their arrival. The door in the
galvanised fence opened and five figures emerged and
slowly crossed the railway. They paused for a moment
after reaching the lane, then separated, four going
eastwards towards the distillery, the fifth coming north
towards the point at which the watchers were concealed.
The latter thereupon moved out from their hiding
place on to the road.

The fifth figure resolved itself into that of a middle-
aged man of the labouring class, slow, heavy, and obese.
In liis rather bovine countenance hardly any spark of
intelligence shone. He did not appear to have seen
the others as he approached, but evinced neither
surprise nor interest when Hilliard accosted him.

Any place about here you can get a drink ? "

The man slowly jerked his head to the left.

" Oop in village,"' he answered. Raven bar."

" Come along and show us the way and have a drink
with us," Hilliard invited.

The man grasped this and his eyes gleamed.

" Ay," he replied succinctly.

As they walked Hilliard attempted light conversation,
but without eliciting much response from their new
acquaintance, and it was not until he had consumed
his third bottle of beer that his tongue became some-
what looser.

" Any chance of a job where you're working ? "
Hilliard went on. " My pal and I would be glad to
pick up something,"

The man shook his head, apparently noticing nothing
incongruous in the question.

" Don't think it."

" No harm in asking the boss anyway. Where
might we find him ? "

" Down at works likely. He be there most times."

" I'd rather go to his house. Can you tell me where
he lives ? "

" Ay. Down at works."

THE FERRIBY DEPOT 95

But he doesn't sleep at the works surely ? "

'' Ay. Sleeps in tin hut/'

The friends exchanged glances. Their problem was
even more difficult than they had supposed. A secret
inspection seemed more and more unattainable. Hilliard
continued the laborious conversation.

“We thought there might be some stevedoring to
do. You've a steamer in now and then, haven't you ? "

The man admitted it, and after a deal of wearisome
questioning they learned that the Girondin called about
every ten days, remaining for about forty-eight hours,
and that she was due in three or four days.

Finding they could get no further information out
of him, they left their bovine acquaintance with a
fresh supply of beer, and returning to the station, took
the first train back to Hull.

As they sat smoking that evening after dinner they
once more attacked the problem which was baffling
them.

" It seems to me," Hilliard asserted, " that we
should concentrate on the smuggling idea first, not
because I quite beheve in it, but because it's the only
one we have. And that brings us again to the same
point — the unloading of the Girondin”

Merriman not replying, he continued : —

“ Any attempt involves a preliminary visit to see
how the land lies. Now we can't approach that place
in the day time ; if we try to slip round secretly we shall
be spotted from those windows or from the wharf ; on
the other hand, if we invent some tale and go openly,
we give ourselves away if they have our descriptions
or photographs. Therefore we must go at night."

“ Well ? “

" Obviously we can only approach the place by land
or water. If we go by land we have either to shin up
on the pier from the shore, which we're not certain
we can do, or else risk making a noise climbing over the
galvanised iron fence. Besides we might leave foot-
marks or other traces. But if we go by water we can

96 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

muffle our oars and drop down absolutely silently to
the wharf. There are bound to be steps, and it would
be easy to get up without making any noise/'
Merriman's emphatic nod expressed his approval.

Good," he cried warmly. " What about getting
a boat to-morrow and having a try that night ? "

" I think we should. There's another thing about it
too. If there should be an alarm we could get away by
the river far more easily than across the country. It's
a blessing there's no moon."

Next day the object of their search was changed.
They wanted a small, handy skiff on hire. It did not
turn out an easy quest, but by the late afternoon they
succeeded in obtaining the desired article. They
purchased also close-&ting caps and rubber-soled
shoes, together with some food for the night, a couple
of electric torches, and a yard of black cloth. Then,
shortly before dusk began to fall, they took their places
and pulled out on the great stream.

It was a pleasant evening, a fitting close to a glorious
day. The air was soft and balmy, and a faint haze
hung over the water, smoothing and blurring the
sharp outlines of the buildings of tiie town and turning
the opposite bank into a gray smudge. Not a breath
was stirring, and the water lay like plate glass, un-
broken by the faintest ripple. The spirit of adventure
was high in the two men as they pulled down the great
avenue of burnished gold stretching westwards towards
the sinking sun.

The tide was flowing, and but slight effort was needed
to keep them moving up-stream. As darkness grew
they came nearer inshore, until in the fading light they
recognised the railway station at Hessle. There they
ceased rowing, drifting slowly onwards until the last
faint haze of light had disappeared from the sky.

They had carefully muffled their oars, and now they
turned north and began sculling gently inshore. Severi
lights had come out, and presently they recognised the
railway signals and cabin at the distillery sidings.

THE FERRIBY DEPOT 97

" Two or three hundred yards more," said Hilliard
in low tones.

They were now close to the beach, and they allowed
themselves to drift on until the dark mass of the wharf
loomed up ahead. Then Hilliard dipped his oars and
brought die boat silently alongside.

As they had imagined from Jheir distant view of it,
the wharf was identically similar in constiuction to that
on the River Lesque. here also were the two lines
of piles like the letter V, one, in front, vertical, the
other raking to support the earthwork behind. Here
in the same relative position were the steps, and to
these Hilliard made fast the painter with a slip hitch
that could be quickly released. Then with the utmost
caution both men stepped ashore, and slowly mounting
the steps, peeped out over the deck of the wharf.

As far as they could make out in the gloom, the
arrangement here also was similar to that in France.
Lines of narrow gauge tramway, running parallel from
the hui towards the water, were connected along the
front of the wharf by a cross road and turn-tables.
Between the lines were stacks of pit-props, and Decau-
ville trucks stood here and there. But these details
they saw afterwards. What first attracted their
attention was that lights shone in the third and fourth
windows from the left hand end of the shed. The
manager evidently was still about.

We'll go back to the boat and wait," Hilliard
whispered, and they crept down the steps.

At intervals of hdf an hour one or other climbed up
and had a look at the windows. On the first two
occasions the light was unchanged, on the third it had
moved to the first and second windows, and on the
fourth it had gone, apparently indicating that the
manager had moved from his sitting-room to his bedroom
and retired.

** We had better wait at least an hour more," Hilliard
whispered again.

Time passed slowly in the darkness under the wharf.

98 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

and in a silence broken only by the gentle lapping of
the water among the piles. The boat lay almost ste^y,
except when a movement of one of its occupants made
it heel slightly over and started a series of tiny ripples.
It was not cold, and had the men not been so full of
their adventure they could have slept. At intervals
Hilliard consulted his luminous-dialled watch, but it
was not until the hands pointed to the half-hour after
one that they made a move. Then once more they
softly ascended to the wharf above.

The sides of the structure were protected by railings
which ran back to the gables of the tin house, the latter
stretching entirely across the base of the pier. Over
the space thus enclosed the two friends passed, but
it speedily became apparent that here nothing of
interest was to be found. Beyond the stacks of props
and wagons there was literally nothing except a rusty
steam winch, a large water butt into which was led the
downspout from the roof, a tank raised on a stand and
fitted with a flexible pipe, evidently for supplying
crude oil for the ship's engines, and a number of empty
barrels in which the oil had been delivered. With
their torch carefully screened by the black* cloth the
friends examined these objects, particularly the oil
tank which, forming as it bid a bridge between ship
and shore, naturally came in for its share of suspicion.
But they were soon satisfied that neither it nor an}^
of the other objects were connected with their quest,
and retreating to the edge of the whcirf, they held a
whispered consultation.

Hilliard was for attempting to open one of the doors
in the shed at the end away from the manager’s room,
but Merriman, obsessed with the idea of seeing the
unloading of the Girondin, urged that the contents of
the shed were secondary, and that their efforts should
be confined to discovering a hiding place from which
the necessary observations could be made.

** If there was any way of getting inside one of those
stacks of props,” he said, ” we could keep a perfect

THE FERRIBY DEPOT 99

watch. I could get in now, for example ; you relieve me
to-morrow night ; I relieve you the next night, and so
on. Nothing could be unloaded that we wouldn't see.
But," he added regretfulTy, " I doubt even if we could
get inside that we should be hidden. Besides, they
might take a notion to load the props up."

Afraid that's hardly the scheme," Hilliard answered,
then went on excitedly : " Put there's that barrel !
Perhaps we could get into that."

** The barrel I That's the ticket." Merriman was
excited in his turn. " That is, it it has a lid."

They retraced their steps. With the tank they did
not trouble ; it was a galvanised iron box with the lid
riveted on, and moreover was full of oil ; but the
barrel looked feasible.

It was an exceptionally large cask or butt, with a
lid which projected over its upper rim and which
entirely protected the interior from view. It was
placed ill the corner beside the right hand gable of the
shed, til *t is, the opposite end to the manager's rooms,
and the wooden downspout from the roof passed in
through a slot cut in the edge of the lid. A more ideal
position foi an observation post could hardly have
been selected.

" Try to lift the iid," whispered Hilliard.

They found it was merely laid on the rim ; cleats
nailed on below preventing it from slipping off. They
raised it easily and HilHard flashed in a beam from his
electric torch. The cask was empty, evidently a result
of the long drought,

" That'll do," Merriman breathed. " That's all we
want to see. Come away."

They lowered the cover and stood for a moment.
Hilliard still wanted to try the doors of the shed, but
Merriman would not hear of it.

" Come away," he whispered again. " We've done
well. Why spoil it ? "

They returned to the boat and there argued it out.
Merriman's proposal was to try to find out when

100 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

the Gifondin was expected, then come the night before,
bore a few eyeholes in the cask, and let one of them,
properly supplied with provisions, get inside and
assume watch. The other one would row away, rest
and sleep during the day, and return on the foUowing
night, when they would exchange rdles, and so on imtU
the Girondin left. In this way, he asserted, they must
infallibly discover the truth, at least about the smuggling.

'' Do you think we coiild stand twenty-four hours
in that barrel ? " Hilliard questioned.

Of course we could stand it. WeVe got to. Come
on, Hilliard, it's the only way."

It did not require much persuasion to get Hilliard
to fall in with the proposd, and they untied their
painter and pulled silently away from the wharf. The
tide had turned, and soon they relaxed their efforts
and let the boat drift gently down-stream. The first
faint light appeared in the eastern sky as they floated
past Hessle, and for an hour afterwards they lay in the
bottom of the boat, smoking peacefully and entranced
by the gorgeous pageant of the coming day.

Not wishing to reach Hull too early, they rowed
inshore, and landing in a little bay, lay doWn in the
lush grass and slept for three or four hours. Then
re-embarking, they pulled and drifted on until, between
seven and eight o'clock, they reached the wharf at
which they had hired their boat. An hour later they
were back at their hotel, recuperating from the fatigues
of the night with the help of cold baths and a substantial
breakfast

CHAPTER Vin

THE UNLOADING OF THE “ GIRON DIN ”

After breakfast Hilliard disappeared He went out
ostensibly to post a letter, but it was not until nearly
three o'clock that he turned up again.

“ wSorry, old man," he greeted Merriman, " but when
I was going to the post office this morning an idea
struck me, and it took me longer to follow up than I
anticipated. FU tell you. I suppose you redise that
life in that barrel won't be very happy for the victim ? "

" It'll be damnable," Merriman agreed succinctly,
" but we needn't worry about that ; we're in
for it."

" Oh, quite," Hilliard returned. " But just for that
reason we don't want more of it than is necessary.
We could easily bury ourselves twenty-four hours too
soon."

" Meaning ? "

" Meaning that we mustn't go back to the wharf
until the night before the Girondin arrives."

" Don’t see how we can be sure of that."

" Nor did I till I posted my letter. Then I got my
idea. It seemed worth following up, so I went round
the shipping offices until I found a file of Lloyd's List.
As you know it's a daily paper which gives the arrivals
and departures of all ships at the world's ports. My
notion was that if we could make a list of the Girondin* s
Ferriby arrivals and departures, say, during the last
three months, and if we foimd she ran her trip regularly,
we could forecast when she would be next due. Follow
me?"

" Rather."

lOI

%Wi THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE
u l'L^ f’ut I foMd

It a ttt disappointing. The trip took either ten, eleven.
or twelve days, and for a long time I couldn't discover
any rule. But at last I found it was Sunday. If you
omit each Sunday the Girondin is in port, the round
trip always takes the even ten days. I had the Lesque
arrival and departure for that one trip when we were
there, so I was able to make out the complete cycle.
She takes two days in the Lesque to load, three to nm to
Hull, two at Ferriby to discharge, and three to return
to France. Working from that and her last call here,
she should due back early on Friday morning.'*
Good ! ** Merriman exclaimed. ** Jolly good ! And
to-day is Thursday. We've just time to get ready."

They went out and bought a one-inch auger and a
three-sixteenths bradawl, a thick footstool and a satchel.

This latter they packed with a loaf, some cheese, a
packet of figs, a few bottles of soda water and a flask
of whisky. These, with their caps, rubber shoes, electric
torches and the black cloth, they carried to their boat,
then returning to the hotel, they spent the time resting
there until eleven o’clock. Solemnly they drew lots
for the first watch, recognising that the matter was by
no means a joke, as, if unloading were carried on by
night, relief might be impossible during the ship’s stay.
But Merriman, to whom the fates w^ere propitious,
had no fear of his ability to hold out even for this
period.

By eleven-thirty they were again sculling up the
river. The weather was as perfect as that of the night
before, except that on this occasion a faint westerly
breeze had covered the surface of the water with myriads
of tiny wavelets, which lapped and gurgled round the
stem of their boat as they drove it gently through
them. They did not hurry, and it was after one before
they moored to the depot steps.

All was dark and silent above, as, carrying their
purchases, they mounted to the wharf and crept
stealthily to the barrel. Carefully they raised the lid.

the unloading of the cmNDiN m

, .. etandinff on the footstool, with sane

^faculty squewed himself inside. ^

the footetool on to the rim and lowered the hd on to it,
afterwards passing in through the opening thus left
the satchel of food and the one-inch auger.

A means of observation now remained to be made.
Two holes, they thought, should afbrd all the view
neceLsary, one looking towards the front of the wharf,
and the other, at right angles, along the side of the
shed. Slowly, from the inside, Merriman began to bore.
He made a sound like the nibbling of a mouse, but
worked at irregular speeds so as not to suggest human
agency to any one who might be awake and listening.
Hilliard, with his hand on the outside of the barrel,
stopped the work when he felt the point of the auger
coming through, and himself completed the hole from
the outside with liis bradawl. This gave an aperture
imperceptible on the rough exterior, but large within,
and enabled the watcher to see through a much wider
angle It an he could otherwise have done. Hilliard
then once more raised the lid, allowing Merriman to
lift the footstool within, where it was destined to act
as a seat for the observer.

All was now complete, and with a whispered exchange
of good wishes, HiHiard withdrew, having satisfied
himself by a careful look round that no traces had
been left. Regaining the boat, he loosed the painter
and pulled gently away into the night.

Left to himself in the confined space and inky black-
n^s of the cask, Merriman proceeded to take stock of
his position. He was anxious if possible to sleep, not
only to pass some of the time, which at the best would
inevitably be terribly long, but also that he might be
the more wakeful when his attention should be required.
But his unusual surroundings stimulated his imagination,
and he could not rest.

He was surprised that the air was so good. Fortun-
ately, the hole through the lid which received the down
spout was of large dunensions, so that even though he

THE PIT.PROP SYNDICATE

X04

might not have plenty of air, he would be in no danger
of asph}rxiation.

The night was very still. Listening intently, he
could not hear the slightest sound. The silence and
utter darkness indeed soon became overpowering, and
he took his watch from his pocket that he might have
the companionship of its ticking and see the glimmering
hands and ring of figures.

He gave himself up for the thousandth time to the
consideration of the main problem. What were the
syndicate people doing? Was Mr. Coburn liable to
prosecution, to penal servitude ? Was it possible that
by some twist of the legal mind, some misleading
circumstantial evidence, Miss Coburn — Madeleine —
could be incriminated ? Oh, if he but knew what was
wrong, that he might be able to help ! If he could
but get her out of it, and for her sake Mr. Cobum I
If they were once safe he could pass on his knowledge
to the police and be quit of the whole business.
But always there was this enveloping cloak of ignor-
ance bafiling him at every turn. He did not know
what was wrong, and any step he attempted might
just precipitate the calamity he most tiesired to
avoid.

Suppose he went and asked her? Tliis idea had
occurred to him many times before, and he had always
rejected it as impracticable. But suppose he did ?
Tlxe danger was that she might be alarmed or displeased,
that she might refuse to admit theie was anything
wrong and forbid him to refer to the matter again or
even send him away altogether. And he felt he was
not strong enough to risk that. No, he must know
where he stood first. He must understand his position,
so as not to bungle the thing. Hilliard was right.
They must find out what the syndicate was doing.
There was no other way.

So the hours dragged slowly away, but at last after
interminable ages had gone by, Merriman noticed two
faint spots of light showing at his eyeholes. Seating

the unloading of the GIRONDIN 105

himself on his footstool, he bent forward and put his
eye first to one and then to the other.

It was still the cold, dead light of early dawn before
the sun had come to awaken colour and sharpen detail,
but the main outlines of objects were already clear.
As Merriman peered out he saw with relief that no
mistake had been made as to his outlooks. From one
lioL or the other he could s^^e the entire area of the
wharf.

It w^as about five a.m., and he congratulated himself
that what he hoped was the most irksome part of his
vigil was over. Soon the place would awaken to life,
and the time would then pass more quickly in observa-
tion of w^hat took place.

But the three hours that elapsed before anything
happened seemed even longer than those before dawn.
Then, just as his watch showed eight o'clock, he heard
a key grind in a lock, a door opened, and a man stepped
out of the shed on the wharf.

He \ as a young fellow, slight in build, with an
extremely alert and intelligent face, but a rather un-
pleasant expression. The sallowness of his complexion
was emphasised by his almost jet black hair and dark
eyes. He was dressed in a loose gray Norfolk jacket
and knickerbockers, but wore no hat. He moved
forw^ard three or four feet and stood staring down-stream
tow^ards Hull.

“ I see her, Tom," he called out suddenly to some
one in the shed behind. " She's just coming round the
point."

There was another step and a second man appeared.
He was older and looked like a foreman. His face was
a contrast to that of the other. In it the expression
was good — kindly, reliable, honest — ^but ability was
not marked. He looked a decent, plodding, stupid man.
He also stared eastward.

Ay," he said slowly. " She's early."

" Two hours," the first agreed. " Didn't expect her
till between ten and eleven."

P.P.S.

H

lo6 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

The other murmured something about "getting
things ready," and disappeared back into the shed.
Presently came the sounds of doors being opened, and
some more empty Decauville trucks were pushed out
on to the wharf. At intervals both men reappeared and
looked down-stream, evidently watching the approach
of the ship.

Some half an hour passed, and then an increase of
movement seemed to announce her arrival. The
manager walked once more down the wharf, followed by
the foreman and four other men — apparently the whole
staff — among whom was the bovine-looking fellow
whom the friends had tried to pump on their first
visit to the locality. Then came a long delay during
which Merriman could catch the sound of a ship's
telegraph and the churning of the screw, and at last
the bow of the Girondin appeared, slowly coming in.
Ropes were flung, caught, slipped over boUards, drawn
taut, made fast — and she was berthed.

Captain Beamish was on the bridge, and as soon
as he could, the manager jumped aboard and ran up
the steps and joined him there. In a few sectuids both
men disappeared into the captain's cabin.

The foreman and his men followed on board and
began in a leisurely way to get the hatches open, but
for at least an hour no real activity was displayed.
Then work began in earnest. The clearing of the
hatches was completed, the sliip s winches were started,
and the unloading of the props began.

This was simply a reversal of the procedure they
had observed at the clearing. The props were swung
out in bundles by the Girondin*s crew, lowered on
to the Decauville trucks, and pushed by the depot
men back through the shed, the empty trucks being
returned on another road, and brought by means of
the turn-tables to the starting point. The young
manager watched the operations and took a tadly of
the props.

Merriman kept a close eye on the proceedings, and

THE UNLOADING OF THE GIRONDIN toy

felt certain he was witnessing everything that was
taking place. Every truck-load of props passed within
ten feet of his hiding place, and he was satisfied that
if anything other than props were put ashore he would
infalliby see it. But the close watching was a consider-
able strain, and he soon began to grow tired. He had
some bread and fruit and a whisky and soda, and
though he would have gi^xn a good deal for a smoke,
he felt greatly refreshed.

The work kept on without intemiission until one
o'clock, when the men knocked off for dinner. At two
they began again, and worked steadily all through
the afternoon until past seven. During all that time
only two incidents, both trifling, occurred to relieve
the monotony of the proceedings. Early in the forenoon
Bulla appeared, and under his instructions the end of
the flexible hose from the crude oil tank was carried
aboard and connected by a union to a pipe on the
lower deck. A wheel vdve at the tank was turned,
and Mf-rriman could see the hose mo^^e and stiffen
as the oil befan to flow through it. An hour later the
valve was turned off, the hose relaxed, the union was
uncoupled and the hose, dripping black oil, was carried
back and left in its former place on the wharf. The
second incident was that about three o'clock Captain
Beamish and Bulla left the ship together and went out
through the shed.

Merriman was now' horribly tired, and his head
ached intolerably from the strain and the air of the
barrel, which had by this time become very impure.
But he reflected that now when the men had left was
the opportunity of the conspirators. The time for
which he had waited was approaching, and he nerved
himself to resist the drowsiness which was stealing
over him and which threatened the success of his
vigil.

But hour after hour slowly dragged past and nothing
happened. Except for the occasional movement of
one of the crew on the ship, the whole place seemed

loS THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

deserted. It was not till well after ten, when dusk
had fallen, that he suddenly heard voices.

At first he could not distinguish the words, but the
tone was Bulla's, and from the sounds it was clear the
engineer and some others were approaching. Then
Beamish spoke.

You'd better keep your eyes open anyway," he said.
" Morton says they only stayed at work about a week.
They're off somewhere now. Morton couldn't discover
where, but he's trying to trace them."

" I'm not afraid of them," returned the manager's
voice. " Even if they found this place, which of course
they might, they couldn’t find out anything else.
We've got too good a site."

" Well, don’t make the mistake of underestimating
their brains," counselled Beamish, as the three men
moved slowly down the wharf. Merriman, considerably
thrilled, watched them go on board and disappear into
the captain's cabin.

So it was clear, then, that he and Hilliard were
seriously suspected by the syndicate and were being
traced by their spy I What luck would the spy have ?
And if he succeeded in his endeavour, what would be
their fortune ? Merriman was no coward, but he
shivered slightly as he went over in his mind the steps
of their present quest, and realised how far they had
failed to cover their traces, how at stage after stage
they had given themselves away to any one who cared
to make a few inquiries. WTiat fools, he thought,
they were not to have disguised themselves ! Simple
disguises would have been quite enough. No doubt
they would not have deceived personal friends, but
they would have made all the difference to a stranger
endeavouring to trace them from descriptions and
those confounded photographs. Then they should not
have travelled together to Hull, still less have gone to
the same hotel. It was true they had had the sense
to register under false names, but that would be but
a slight hindrance to a skilful investigator. But their

the unloading of the GIRONDIN 109

crowning folly, in Merriman’s view, was the hiring of
the boat and the starting off at night from the docks and
arriving back there in the morning. What they should
have done, he nov.' thought bitterly, was to have taken
a boat at Grimsby or some other distant town and
kept it continuously, letting no one know when they
set out on or returned from their excursions.

But there was no use in crying over spilt milk.
Merriman repeated to himself the adage, though he
did not find it at all comforting Then his thoughts
passed on to the immediate present, and he wondered
wh('ther he should not try to get out of the barrel and
emulate Hilliard's exploit in boarding the Girondin
and listening to the conversation in the captain's cabin.
But he soon decided he must keep to the arranged
plan, and make sure nothing was put ashore from the
ship under cover of darkness.

Once again ensued a period of waiting, during which
the time dragged terribly heavily. Everything without
was poilectly still until at about half-past eleven the
door of the ca pi ain's cabin opened and its three occupants
came out into the night. The starboard deck light was on
and by its light Merriman could see the manager take
his leave, cross the gangway, pass up the wharf and
enter the shed. Buiia went down towards his cabin
door and Beamish, snapping off the deck light,
returned to his. In about fifteen minutes his light
also went out and complete darkness and silence
reigned.

Some two hours later Merriman, who had kept awake
and on guard only by the most determined effort, heard
a gentle tap on the barrel and a faint “ Hist I " The lid
was slowly raised, and to his intense relief he was able
to stand upright and greet Hilliard crouching without.

Any news ?" queried the latter in the faintest of
whispers.

“ Absolutely none. Not a single thing came out of
that boat but props. I had a splendid view all the
time. Except this, Hilliard " — Merriman's whisper

no THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

became more intense— They suspect us and are
trying to trace ns”

” lit them try/* breathed Hilliard. " Here, take
this in.*'

He handed over a satchel of fresh food and took out
the old one. Then Merriman climbed out, held up the
lid until Hilliard had taken his place, wished his friend
good luck, and passing like a shadow along the wharf,
noiselessly descended the steps and reached the boat.
A few seconds later he had drifted out of sight of the
depot, and was pulling with long, easy strokes down-
stream.

The air and freedom felt incredibly good after his
long confinement, and it was a delight to stretch his
muscles at the oars. So hard did he row that it was
barely three when he reached the boat slip in Hull.
There he tied up the skiff and walked to the hotel.
Before four he was sound asleep in his room.

That evening about seven as he strolled along the
water front waiting until it should be time to take out
his boat, he was delighted to observe the Girondin pass
out to sea. He had dreaded having to take .another
twenty-four hours* trick in the cask, which would have
been necessary had the ship not left that evening. Now
all that was needed was a little care to get Hilliard
out, and the immediate job would be done.

He took out the boat about eleven and duly reached
the wharf. All was in darkness, and he crept to the
barrel and softly raised the lid.

Hilliard was exhausted from the long strain, but
with his friend's help he succeeded in clambering out,
having first examined the floor of the barrel to see that
nothing had been overlooked, as well as plugging the
two holes with corks. They regained the boat in
silence, and it was not until they were some distance
from the wharf that either spoke.

" My God I Merriman,** Hilliard said at last, '' but
that was an awful experience I You left the air in
that cursed barrel bad, and it got steadily worse until I

THE UNLOADING OF THE OIRONDIN in

thought I should have died or had to lift the lid and
give the show away. It was just everything I could do
to keep going till the ship left."

" But did you see anything ? " Merriman demanded
eagerly.

'‘See anything? Not a blessed thing! We are
barking up the wrong tree, Merriman. I’ll stake my life
nothing came out of that boat but props. No ; what
those people are up to I don’t know, but there's one
thing a dead cert, and that is that they’re not smuggling.’’

They rowed on in silence, Hilliard almost sick with
weariness and disappointment, Merriman lost in thought
over their problem. It was still early when they reached''
their hotel, and they followed Merriman’s plan of the
morning before and went straight to bed.

Next day they spent in the hotel lounge, gloomily
smoking and at intervals discussing the aSfair. They
had admitted themselves outwitted — ^up to the present
at all events. And neither could suggest any further
step. Ihere seemed to be no line of investigation left
which might bear better fruit. They agreed that the
brandy smuggling theory must be abandoned, and they
had nothing to take its place.

" We’re fairly up against it as far as I can see,"
Hilliard admitted despondently. " It’s a nasty knock
having to give up the only theory we were able to
think of, but it’s a hanged sight worse not knowing
how we are going to carry on the inquiry."

" That is true," Merriman returned, Madeleine
Cobum’s face rising before his imagination, " but we
can’t give it up for all that. We must go on until we
find something."

" That’s all very well. What are we to go on doing ? ’’

Silence reigned for several minutes and then Hilliard
spoke again.

" I’m afraid it means Scotland Yard after all."

Merriman sat up quickly.

" Not that, not that I " he protested, as he had
protested in similar terms on a previous occasion when

II2 THE PIT.PROP SYNDICATE

the same suggestion had been made. " We must keep
away from the police at all costs." He spoke earnestly.

" I know your views," Hilliard answengd, " and
agree with them. But if neither of us can suggest an
alternative, what else remains ? "

This was what Merriman had feared and he determined
to play the one poor trump in his hand.

" The number plates," he suggested. " As I said
before, that is the only point at which we have actually
come up against this mystery. Why not let us start
in on it ? If we knew why those plates were changed,
the chances are we should know enough to clear up the
whole affair."

Hilliard, who was suffering from the reaction of his
night of stress, took a depressed view and did not
welcome the suggestion. He seemed to have lost heart
in the inquiry, and again urged dropping it and passing
on their knowledge to Scotland Yard. But this course
Merriman strenuously opposed, pressing his view that
the key to the mystery was to be found in the changing
of the lorry numbers. Finally they decided to leave
the question over until the following day, and to banish
the affair from their minds for that evening by a visit
to a music hall.

CHAPTER IX

THE SECOND CARGO

Merriman was awakened in the early hours of the
following morning by a push on the shoulder and,
opening his eyes, he was amazed to see Hilliard, dressed
only in his pyjamas, leaning over him. On his friend's
face was an expression of excitement and delight which
made him a totally different man from the gloomy
pessimist of the previous day.

'' Merriman, old man," he cried, though in repressed
tones — ^it was only a little after five. " I'm frightfully
sorry to stir you up, but I just couldn't help it. I say,
you and I are a nice pair of idiots 1 "

Merriman grunted.

" I don't Know what you're talking about," he
murmured sleepily.

" Teilking about ? " Hilliard returned eagerly.
"Why, this affair, of course! I see it now, but what
I don't see is how we missed it before. The idea
struck me like a flash. Just while you'd wink I saw
the whole thing I "

Merriman, now thoroughly aroused, moved with
some annoyance.

" For Heaven's sake, explain yourself," he demanded.
" What whole thing ? "

" How they do it. We thought it was brandy
smuggling, but we couldn't see how it was done. Well,
I see now. It's brandy smuggling right enough, and
we'll get them this time. We'll get them, Merriman,
we'll get them yet."

Hilliard was bubbling over with excitement. He
could not remain still, but began to pace up and down

113

II4 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

the room. His emotion was infectious, and Merriman
began to feel his heart beat quicker as he listened.
HUliard went on : —

**We thought there might be brandy, in fact we
couldn't suggest anything else. But we didn't see any
brandy ; we saw pit-props. Isn't that right ? "

" Well ? " Merriman returned impatiently. " Get
on. What next ? "

“ That's all," Hilliard declared with a delighted
laugh. "That's the whole thing. Don't you see it
now ? "

Merriman felt his anger rising.

" Confound it all, Hilliard," he protested. " If you
haven't anything better to do than coming round
wakening "

" Oh, don't get on your hind legs," Hilliard inter-
rupted with another ecstatic chuckle. " What I say is
right enough. Look here, it's perfectly simple. We
thought brandy would be unloaded I And what's more,
we both sat in that cursed barrel and watched it being
done ! But all we saw coming ashore was pit-props,
Merriman, pit-props 1 Now don't you see ?

Merriman suddenly gasped.

" Lord I " he cried breathlessly. " It was in the
props ? "

" Of course it was in the props ! " Hilliard repeated
triumphantly. " Hollow props ; a few hollow ones
full of brandy to unload in their shed, many genuine
ones to sell 1 What do you think of that, Merriman ?
Got them at last, eh ? "

Merriman lay still as he tried to realise what this
idea involved. Hilliard, moving jerkily about the
room as if he were a puppet controlled by wires, went
on speaking.

" I thought it out in bed before I came along. All
they'd have to do would be to cut the props in half
and bore them out, attaching a screwed ring to one
half and a screwed socket to the other so that they'd
screw together like an ordinary gas thimble. See ? "

THE SECOND CARGO 115

Merriman nodded.

''Then they'd get some steel things like limelight
gas cylinders to fit inside. They'd be designed of such
a thickness that their weight would be right ; that
their weight plus the brandy would be equal to the
weight of the wood bored out."

He paused and looked at Merriman. The latter
nodded again.

** The rest would be as easy as tumbling off a log.
At night Coburn and company would screw off the
hollow ends, fill the cylinders with brandy, screw on
the ends again, and there you have your props —
harmless, innocent props — ^ready for loading up on the
Girondin, Of course, they'd have them marked. Then
when they're being unloaded that manager would get
the marked ones put aside — they could somehow be
defective, too long or too short or too thin or too any-
thing you like — ^he would find some reason for separating
them out — and then at night he would open the things
and pour out the brandy, screw them up again and —
there you ar'^ 1 ”

Hilliard paused dramatically, like a conjurer who
has just drawn a rabbit from a lady's vanity bag.

" That would explain that Ferriby manager sleeping
in the shed," Merriman put in.

“ So it would. I hadn't thought of that,"

" And," Merriman went on, " there'd be enough
genuine props carried on each trip to justify the trade."

" Of course. A very few faked ones would do all
they wanted — ^say two or three per cent. My goodness,
Merriman, it's a clever scheme ; they deserve to win.
But they're not going to." Again he laughed de-
lightedly.

Merriman was thinking deeply. He had recovered
his composure, and had begun to weigh the idea
critically.

" They mightn't empty the brandy themselves at all,"
he said slowly. '' What's to prevent them running the
faked props to the firm who plants the brandy ? "

ii6 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

" That's true/' Hilliard returned. " That's another
idea. My eyes, what possibilities the notion has ! "

They talked on for some moments, then Hilliard,
whose first excitement was beginning to wane, went
back to his room for some clothes. In a few minutes
he returned full of another side of the idea.

“ Let's just work out," he suggested, " how much
you could put into a prop. Take a prop say nine inches
in diameter and nine feet long. Now you can't weaken
it enough to risk its breaking if it accidentally falls.
Suppose you bored a six inch hole down its centre.
That would leave the sides one and a half inches thick,
which should be ample. What do you think ? "

" Take it at that anyway” answered Merriman.

" Very well. Now how long would it be ? If we
bore too deep a hole we may split the prop. What
about two feet six inches into each end ? Say a five
foot tube ? "

" Take it at that," Merriman repeated.

" How much brandy could you put into a six inch
tube, five feet long ? " He calculated aloud, Merriman
checking each step. " That works out at a cpbic fgot
of brandy, six and a quarter gallons, fifty pints or
four hunted glasses — four hundred glasses per prop."

He paused, looked at his friend, and resumed : —

" A glass of brandy in France costs you sixpence ;
in England it costs you half a crown. Therefore if
you can smuggle the stuff over you make a profit of two
shillings a glass. Four hundred glasses at two shillings.
There’s a profit of £40 a prop, Meixiinan I "

Merriman whistled. He was growing more and
more impressed. The longer he considered the idea,
the more likely it seemed. He listened eagerly as
Hilliard, once again excitedly pacing the room, resumed
his calculations.

" Now you have a cargo of about seven thousand
props. Suppose you assume one per cent, of them are
faked, that would be seventy. We don’t know how
many they have, of course, but one out of every hundred

THE SECOND CARGO 117

is surely a conservative figure. Seventy props means
£2800 profit per trip. And they have a trip every ten
days — say thirty trips a year to be on the safe side —
£84,000 a year profit I My eyes, Merriman, it would
be worth running some risks for £84,000 a year 1 "
Risks ? " cried Merriman, now as much excited as
his friend. “ They'd risk hell lor it I I bet, Hilliard,
you'/e got it at last. £84,000 a year I But l^k here "
—his voice changed — you have to divide it among
the members,"

" That's true, you have," Hilliard admitted, " but
even so — ^how many are there? Beamish, Bulla,
Coburn, Henri, the manager here, and the two men
they spoke of, Morton and Archer — ^that makes seven.
That would give them £12,000 a year each. It's still
jolly well worth while."

" Worth while ? I should just say so." Merriman
lay silently pondering the idea. Presently he spoke
again.

" Of Course those figures of yours are only guesswork."

"They're only guesswork," Hilliard agreed with a
trace of impatience in his manner, " because we don't
know the size of the tubes and the number of the
props, but it's not guesswork that they can make a
fortune out of smuggling in that way. We see now
that the thing can be done, and how it can be done.
That's something gained anyway."

Merriman nodded and sat up in bed.

" Hand me my pipe and baccy out of that coat
pocket like a good man," he asked, continuing slowly : —

" It'll be some job, I fancy, proving it. We shall
have to see first if the props are emptied at that depot,
and if not we shall have to find out where they're sent,
and investigate, I seem to see a pretty long programme
opening out. Have you any plans ? "

Not a plan," Hilliard declared cheerfully. " No
time to make 'em yet. But we shall find a way somehow."

They went on discussing the matter in more detail.
At first the testing of Hilliard's new theory appeared a

Ii8 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

simple matter, but the more they thought over it the
more difficult it seemed to become. For one thing
there would be the investigations at the depot. What-
ever unloading of the brandy was carried on there
would probably be done inside the shed and at night.
It would therefore be necessary to find some hiding
place within the building from which the investigations
could be made. This alone was an undertaking bristling
with difficulties. In the first place, all the doors of
the shed were locked and none of them opened without
noise. How were they without keys to open the doors
in the dark, silently and without leaving traces ?
Observations might be required during the entire
ten day cycle, and that would mean that at some
time each night one of these doors would have to be
opened and shut to allow the watcher to be relieved.
And if the emptying of the props were done at night
how were they to ensure that this operation should
not coincide with the visit of the relief ? And this was
all presupposing that a suitable hiding place could be
found inside the building in such a position that from,
it the operations in question could be overlooked^
Here no doubt were pretty serious obstacles, but
even were they all successfully overcome it did not
follow that they should have solved the problem. The
faked props might be loaded up and forwarded to
some other depot, and, if so, this other depot might
be by no means easy to find. Further, if it were found,
nocturnal observation of what went on within would
then become necessary. }

It seemed to the friends that all they bad done up
to the present would be the merest child's play in
comparison to what was now required. During the
whole of that day and the next they brooded over the
problem, but without avail. The more they thought
about it the more hopeless it seemed. Even Hilliard's
cheery optimism was not proof against the wave of
depression which swept over them.

Curiously enough it was to Merriman, the plodding

THE SECOND CARGO 119

rather than the brilliant, that light first came. They
were seated in the otherwise empty hotel lounge when
he suddenly stopped smoking, sat motionless for
nearly a minute, and then turned eagerly to his com-
panion.

I say, Hilliard,** he exclaimed. I wonder if there
mightn*t be another way out after all — a scheme for
making them separate +he faked and the genuine
props? Do you know Leatham — Charlie Leatham of
EUerby, somewhere between Selby and Houghton ?
No ? Well, he owns a group of mines in that district.
He*s as decent a soul as ever breathed, and is just
rolling in money. Now, how would it do if we were
to go to Charlie and tell him the whole thing, and ask
him to approach these people to see if they would sell
him a cargo of props — an entire cargo. I should
explain that he has a private wharf for lighters on one
of thof^e rivers up beyond Goole, but the approach is
too shallow for a sea-going boat. Now, why shouldn't
he tell these people about his wharf, saying he had
heard the C^wndin was shallow in the draught, and
might get up ? He would then say he would take an
entire cargo on condition that he could have it at his
own place and so save rail carriage from Ferriby.
That would put the syndicate in a hole. They couldn't
let any of the faked props out of their possession, and
if they agreed to Leatham's proposal they'd have to
separate out the faked props from the genuine, and
keep the faked aboard. On their way back from
Leatham's they would have to call at Ferriby to put
these faked ones ashore, and if we are not utter fools
we should surely be able to get hold of them then.
Wliat do you think, Hilliard ? "

Hilliard smote his thigh.

** Bravo I " he cried with enthusiasm. " I think it's
just splendid. But is there any chance your friend
would take a cargo ? It's rather a large order, you
know. What would it run into ? Four or five thousand
pounds ? "

lao THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

“ Why Wouldn't he ? He has to buy props onywzy,
and these are good props and they would be as cheap
as any he could get elsewhere. Taking them at his
own wharf would be good business. Besides, 7000
props is not a big thing for a group of mines. There
are a tremendous lot used."

"That's true."

" But the syndicate may not agree," Merriman went
on. " And yet I think they will. It would look sus-
picious for them to refuse so good an offer."

Hilliard nodded. Then a further idea seemed to
strike him and he sat up suddenly.

"But, Merriman, old man," he exclaimed, "you've
forgotten one thing. If they sent a cargo of that kind
they'd send only genuine props. They wouldn't risk
the others."

But Merriman was not cast down.

"I dare say you're right," he admitted, "but we
can easily prevent that. Suppose Leatham arrangte
for a cargo for some indefinite date ahead, then on
the day after the Girondin leaves France he goes to
Ferriby and says some other consignment has f^jled
him, and could they let him have the next cargo ?
That would meet the case, wouldn't it."

" By Jove, Merriman, but you're developing the
detective instinct and no mistake ! I think the scheme's
worth trying anyway. How can you get in touch with
your friend ? "

" ril phone him now that we shall be over to-morrow
to see him."

Leatham was just leaving his office when Merriman's
call reached him.

"Delighted to see you and meet your friend," he
answered. " But couldn't you both come over now
and stay the night ? You would be a perfect godsend
to me, for Hilda's in London and I have the house to
myself."

Merriman thanked him, and later on the two friends
took the 6.35 train to EUerby. Leatham's car was

THE SECOND CARGO 121

waiting for them at the station, and in a few minutes
they had reached the mineowner's house.

Charles Leatham was a man of about five-and-thirty,
tall, broad, and of muscular build. He had a strong,
clean shaven face, a kindly though direct manner, and
there was about him a suggestion of decision and
efficiency which inspired the confidence of those with
whom he came in contact.

This is very jolly," he greeted them. “ How are
you, old man ? Glad to meet you, Hilliard. This is
better than the lonely evening I was expecting."

They went in to dinner presently, but it was not
until the meal was over and they were stretched in
basket chairs on the terrace in the cool evening air
that Merriman reverted to the subject which had
brought them together.

" Fm afraid," he began, " it's only now when I am
right up against it that I realise what appalling cheek
we show in coming to you like this, and when you hear
what wc have had in our minds, Fm afraid you will
think so too. As a matter of fact weVe accidentally
got hold of information that a criminal organisation of
some kind is in operation. For various reasons our
hands are tied about going to the police, so we're trying
to play the detectives ourselves, and now we're up
against a difficulty we don't see our way through.
We thought if we could interest you sufficiently
to induce you to join us, we might devise a
scheme."

Amazement had been growing on Leatham's face
while Merriman was speaking.

Sounds like the New Arabian Nights I " he ex-
claimed. " You're not by any chance piiUing my leg ? "

Merriman reassured him.

"The thing's really a bit serious," he continued.
" If what we suspect is going on, the parties concerned
won't be squeamish about the means they adopt to
keep their secret. I imagine they'd have a short way
with meddlers."

P.P.S.

1

m THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

Leatham’s expression of astonishment did not de-
crease, but By Jove ! ** was all he said.

'' For that reason we can only tell^you about it in
confidence."

Meniman paused and glanced questioningly at the
other, who nodded without replymg.

" It began when I was cyding from Bayonne to
Bordeaux," Merriman went on, and he told -his host
about his visit to the clearing, his voyage of discovery
with Hilliard and what they had learned in France,
their trip to Hull, the Ferriby depot and their adventures
thereat, ending up by explaining their hollow pit-prop
idea and the difficulty with which they found themselves
faced.

Leatham heard the story with an interest which
could hardly fail to gratify its narrator. When it was
finished he expressed his feelings by giving vent to a
long and complicated oath. Then he asked how they
thought he could help. Merriman explained. The
mineowner rather gasped at first, then he laughed and
slapped his thigh,

" By the Lord Harry 1 " he cried, " TU (|p it As
a matter of fact I want the props, but Td do it anyway
to see you through. If there's anything at all in what
you suspect it'll make the sensation of the year."

He thought for a moment then went on : —

" I shall go down to that depot at Ferriby to-morrow,
have a look at the props, and broach the idea of taking
a cargo. It'll be interesting to have a chat with that
manager fellow, and you may bet I'll keep my eyes
open. You two had better lie low here, and in the
evening we'll have another talk and settle what's to be
done."

The next day the friends " lay low," and evening
saw them once more on the terrace with their host.
It seemed that he had motored to Ferriby about mid-
day. The manager had been polite and even friendly,
had seemed pleased at the visit of so influential a customer,
and had shown him over the entire concern without

THE SECOND GARGO 123

the slightest hesitation. He had appeared delighted
at the prospect of di^osing of a whole cargo of props,
and had raised no objection to the Girondin unloading
at Leatham's wharf. The price was moderate, but not
exceptionally so.

I must admit,'" Leatham concluded, " that every-
thing appeared very sound and businesslike. I had a
look everywhere in that shed and enclosure, and I
saw nothing even remotely suspicious. The manager's
manner, too, was normal, and it seems to me that
either he's a jolly good actor or you two chaps are on
a wild goose chase."

" We may be about the hollow props," Merriman
returned, " and we may be about the brandy smuggling.
But there’s no mistake at aU about something being
wrong. That's certain from what Hilliard overheard."

Leatham nodded.

" I know all that," he said, and when we’ve carried
out this present scheme we shall know something more.
Now let’s see. When does that blessed boat next leave
France ? "

"Thursday morning, we reckon," Hilliard told him.

" Then on Friday afternoon I shall call up those
people and pitch my yam about my consignment of
props having gone astray, and ask if they can send their
boat direct here. How’s that ? "

" Nothing could be better."

" Then I think for the present you two had better
clear out. Our connection should not be known. And
don’t go near London either. That chap Morton has
lost you once, but he'll not do it a second time. Go
and tramp the Peak District, or something of that kind.
Then you’ll be wanted back in Hull on Saturday."

“ What's that for ? " both men exclaimed in a
breath.

That blessed barrel of yours. You say the Girondin
will leave France on Thursday night. That means
she will be in the Humber on Sunday night or Monday
morning. Now you reckoned she would unload here

124 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

and put the faked props ashore and load up oS at
Feniby on her way out. But she mightn't. She might
go into Ferriby first. It would be the likely thing to
do, in fact, for then she'd get here with nothing suspicious
aboard and could unload everything. So I guess you'll
have to watch in your barrel on Sunday, and that
means getting into it on Saturday night."

The two friends swore and Leatham laughed.

"Good heavens," Hilliard cried, "it means about
four more nights of the damned thing. From Saturday
night to Sunday night for the arrival ; maybe imtU
Monday night if she lies over to discharge the faked
props on Monday. Then another two nights or maybe
three to cover her departure. I tell you, it's a tall
order."

" But think of the prize." Leatham smiled maliciously.
" As a matter of fact I don't see any other way."

"There is no other way," Merriman declared with
decision. " We may just set our teeth and go through
with it."

After further discussion it was arranged that the
friends would leave early next day for Harr^ate.
There Leatham would wire them on Friday the result
of his negotiations about the Girondin, They could
then return to Hull and get out their boat on Saturday
should that be necessary. When about midnight they
turned in, Leatham was quite as keen about the affair
as his guests, and quite as anxious that their joint
experiment should be crowned with success.

The two friends spent a couple of lazy days
amusing themselves in Harrogate, until towards
evening on the Friday Merriman was called to the
telephone.

" That’ll be Leatham," he exclaimed. " Come on,
Hilliard, and hear what he has to say."

It was the mineowner speaking from his office.

" I've just rung up our friends," he told them, " and
that business is all right. There was some delay about
it at first, for Benson — that's the manager — ^was afraid

THE SECOND CARGO 12 $

he hadn't enough stock of props for current orders.
But on looking up his records he found he could manage,
so he is letting the ship come Wu*'

" Jolly good, Leatham/'

*'The Oirondin is expected about seven to-morrow
evening. Benson then asked about a pilot. It seems
their captain is a certified pilot of the Humber up to
Ferrlby, but he could not take the boat farther. I
told him rd lend him the man who acted for me, and
what Fve arranged is this. I shall send Angus Menzies,
the master of one of my river tugs, to the wharf at
Ferriby about six on Saturday evening. When the
Girondin comes up he can go aboard and work her on
here. Menzies is a good man, and I shall drop him a
hint that IVe bought the whole cargo, and to keep
his eyes open that nothing is put ashore that I don't
get. That'll be a still further check."

The friends expressed their satisfaction at this
arrangement, and it was decided that as soon as the
investig«.tion was over all three should meet and compare
results at Leatham's house.

Next evening saw the two inquirers back at their
hotel in Hull. They had instructed the owner of their
hired boat to keep it in readiness for them, and about
eleven o'clock, armed with the footstool and the satchel
of food, they once more got on board and pulled out on
to the great stream. Merriman not wishing to spend
longer in the barrel than was absolutely necessary,
they went ashore near Hessle and had a couple of hours'
sleep, and it was well past four when they reached the
depot. The adventure was somewhat more risky than
on the previous occasion, owing to the presence of a
tiny arc of moon. But they carried out their plans
without mishap, Merriman taking his place in the
cask, and Hilliard returning to Hull with the boat.

If possible, the slow passage of the heavily weighted
hours until the following evening was even more
irksome to the watcher than on the first occasion.
Merriman felt he would die of weariness and boredom

126 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

long before anything happened, and it was only the
thought that he was doing it for Madeleine Cobum that
kept him from utter icdlapse.

At intervals during the morning, Benson, the manager,
or one of the other men came out for a moment or two
on the wharf, but no regular work went on there.
During the interminable hours of the afternoon no
one appeared at all, the whole place remaining silent
and deserted, and it was not until nearly six that -the
sound of footsteps fell on Merriman's weary ears.
He heard a gruff voice saying : “ Ah'm no so sairtain
o’ it mesel*,” which seemed to accord with the name
of Leatham’s skipper, and then came Benson's voice
raised in agreement.

The two men passed out of the shed and moved to
the edge of the wharf, pursuing a desultory discussion,
the drift of which Merriman could not catch. The
greater part of an hour passed, when first Benson and
then Menzies began to stare eastwards down the river.
It seemed evident to Merriman that the Girondin was
in sight, and he began to hope that something more
interesting would happen. But the tim^ djjagged
wearily for another half-hour, until he heard the bell of
the engine-room telegraph and the wash of the screw.
A moment later the ship appeared, drew alongside,
and was berthed, all precisely as had happened before.

As soon as the gangway was lowered, Benson sprang
aboard, and running up the ladder to the bridge, eagerly
addressed Captain Beamish. Merriman could not hear
what was said, but he could see the captain shaking his
head and making little gestures of disapproval. He
watched him go to the engine-room tube and speak
down it. It was evidently a call to Bulla, for almost
immediately the engineer appeared and ascended to
the bridge, where all three joined in a brief discussion.
Finally Benson came to the side of the ship and shouted
something to Menzies, who at once went on board and
joined the group on the bridge. Merriman saw Benson
introduce him to the others, and then apparently

THE SECQND CARGO 127

explain something to him. Menzies nodded as if satisfied
and the conversation became general.

Merriman was considerably thrilled by this new
development. He imagined that Benson while, for the
beiiefit of Menzies, ostensibly endeavouring to make the
arrangements agreed on, had in reality preceded the
pilot on board in order to warn the captain of the
proposal, and arrange with him some excuse for keeping
the ship where she was for the night. BuUa had been
sent for to acquaint him with the situation, and it
was not until sill three were agreed as to their story
that Menzies was invited to join the conclave. To
Merriman it certainly looked as if the men were going
to fall into the trap which he and his friends had pre-
pared, and he congratulated himself on having adhered
to his programme and hidden himself in the barrel,
instead of leaving the watching to be done by Menzies,
as he had been so sorely tempted to do. For it was
clear to him that if any secret work was to be done,
Menzies would be got out of the way until it was over.
Merriman was now keenly on the alert, and he watched
every movement on the ship or wharf with the sharpness
of a lynx. Bulla presently went below, leaving the
other three chatting on the bridge, then a move was
made and, the engineer reappearing, all four entered
the cabin. Apparently they were having a meal, for
in about an hour's time they emerged, and bringing
canvas chairs to the boat deck, sat down and began
to smoke — all except Bulla, who once again disappeared
below. In a few moments he emerged with one of
the crew, and bejgan to superintend the coupling of the
oil hose. The friends had realised the ship woiild have
to put in for oil, but they had expected that an hour's
halt would have sufficed to fill up. But from the delay
in starting and the leisurely way the operation was
being conducted, it looked as if she was not proceeding
that night.

In about an hour the oiling was completed, and
Bulla followed his friends to the captain's cabin, where

128 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

the latter had retired when dusk began to fall. An
hour later they came out, said “Good-night/' and
separated, Benson coming ashore. Bulla and Menzies
entering cabins on the main deck, and Captain Beamish
snapping off the deck light and re-entering his own
room.

" Now or never," thought Merriman, as silence and
darkness settled down over the wharf.

But apparently it was to be never. Once again the
hours crept slowly by and not a sign of activity became
apparent. Nothing moved on either ship or wharf,
until about two in the morning he saw dimly in the faint
moonlight the figure of Hilliard coming to relieve him.

The exchange was rapidly effected, and Hilliard
took up his watch, while his friend pulled back into
Hull, and following his own precedent, went to the
hotel and to bed.

The following day Merriman took an early train to
Goole, returning immediately. This brought him past
the depot, and he saw that the Girondin had left.

That night he again rowed to the wharf and relieved
Hilliard. They had agreed that in spite of the ^treme
irksomeness of a second night in the cask it was essential
to continue their watch, lest the Girondin should make
another call on her way to sea and then discharge the
faked props.

The remainder of the night and the next day passed
like a hideous dream. There being nothing to watch
for in the first part of his vigil, Merriman tried to sleep,
but without much success. The hours dragged by with
an incredible deliberation, and during the next day
there was but slight movement on the wharf to occupy
his attention. And then just before dark he had the
further annoyance of learning that his long-drawn-out
misery had been unnecessary. He saw out in the river
the Girondin passing rapidly seawards.

Their plan then had failed. He was too weary to
think consecutively about it, but that much at least
was clear. When HiUiard arrived some five hours

THE SECOND CARGO rag

later, he had fallen into a state of partial coma, and
his Mend had considerable trouble in rousing him to
make the eflPort necessary to leave his hiding place with
the requisite care and silence.

The next evening the two friends left Hull by a late
train, and reaching Leatham's house after dusk had
fallen, were soon seated in his smoking-room with
whiskies and sodas at their elbows and Corona Coronas
in their mouths. All three were somewhat gloomy,
and their disappointment and chagrin were very real.
Leatham was the first to put tiieir thoughts into
words.

Well," he said, drawing at his cigar, " I suppose
we needn't say one thing and think another. I take
it our precious plan has failed ? "

"That's about the size of it," Hilliard admitted
grimly.

" Your man saw nothing ? " Merriman inquired.

" He saw you," the mineowner returned. " He's a
very dependable chap, and I thought it would be wise
to give him a hint that we suspected something serious,
so he kept a good watch. It seems when the ship came
alongside at Ferriby, Benson told the captain not to
make fast as he had to go farther up the river. But
the captain said he thought they had better fill up with
oil first, and he sent to consult the engineer, and it
was agreed that when they were in they might as well
fill up as it would save a call on the outward journey.
Besides, no one concerned was on for going up in the
dark — there are sandbanks, you know, and the naviga-
tion's bad. They gave Menzies a starboard deck cabin
— that was on the wharf side — and he sat watching the
wharf through his porthole for the entire night. There
wasn't a thing unloaded, and there wasn't a movement
on the wharf until you two changed your watch.
He saw that, and it fairly thrilled him. After that
not another thing happened until the cook brought
him some coffee and they got away."

"Pretty thorough," Hilliard commented. "It's at

X 30 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

least a blessing to be sure beyond a doubt nothing was
unloaded/'

We're certain enough of that," Leatham went on,
" and we're certain of something else too. I arranged
to drop down on the wharf when the discharging was
about finished, and I had a chat with the captain;
superior chap, that. I told him I was interested in his
ship, for it was the largest I have ever seen up at my
wharf, and that I had been thinking of getting one
something the same built. I asked him if he would let
me see over her, and he was most civil and took me over
the entire boat. There was no part of her we didn't
examine, and I'm prepared to swear there were no props
left on board. So we may take it that whatever else
they're up to, they’re not carrying brandy in faked pit-
props. Nor, so far as I can see, in anything else either."

The three men smoked in silence for some time
and then Hilliard spoke.

" I suppose, Leatham, you can't think of any other
theory, or suggest anything else that we should do."

" I can't suggest what you should do," returned
Leatham, rising to his feet and beginning to^page the
room, " but I know what I should do in your place.
I'd go down to Scotland Yard, tell them what I know,
and then wash my hands of the whole affair."

Hilliard sighed.

" I'm afraid we shall have no option," he said slowly,
" but I needn't say we should much rather learn some-
thing more dejftnite first."

"I dare say, but you haven't been able to. Either
these fellows are a deal too clever for you, or else you
are on the wrong track altogether. And that's what
I think. I don't believe there's any smuggling going
On there at all. It's some other game they're on to.
I don't know what it is, but I don't believe it's anything
so crude as smuggling."

Again silence fell on the little group, and then
Meniman, who had for some time been lost in thought,
made a sudden movement.

THE SECOND CARGO 131

Lord ! " he exclaimed, but we have been fools
over this thing I There's another point we've all
missed which alone proves it couldn't have been faked
props. Here, Hilliard, this was your theory, though
I don't mean to saddle you with more imbecility than
myself. But anyway, according to your theory, what
happened to the props after they were unloaded ? "

Hilliard stared at this outburst.

“ After they were unloaded ? " he repeated. " Why,
returned of course for the next cargo.’'

‘'But that's just it," cried Merriman. "That's just what
wasn't done. We've seen that boat unload twice, and
on neither occasion were any props loaded to go back."

" That's a point, certainly ; yes," Leatham interposed.
"I suppose they would have to be used again and
again ? Each trip's props couldn't be destroyed after
arrival, and new ones made for the next cargo ? "

Hilliard shook his head reluctantly.

"No," he declared. "Impossible. Those things
would cost a lot of money. You see, no cheap scheme,
say of shippinj bottles into hollowed props, would do.
The props would have to be thoroughly well made,
so that they wouldn't break and give the show away
if accidentdly dropped. They wouldn't pay unless
they were used several times over. I'm afraid Merriman s
point is sound, and we may give up the idea."

Further discussion only strengthened this opinion,
and the three men had to admit themselves at a total
loss as to their next move. The only suggestion in the
field was that of Leatham, to inform Scotland Yard,
and this was at last approved by Hilliard as a counsel
of despair.

"There's nothing else for it that I can see," he
observed gloomily. " We've done our best on our own
and failed, and we may let some one else have a shot
now. My leave's nearly up an3nvay."

Merriman said nothing at the time, but next day,
when they had taken leave of their host and were in
the train for King's Cross, he reopened the subject.

132 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

" I needn't say, Hilliard,” he began, ” I'm most
anxious that the police should not be brought in, and
you know the reason why. If she gets into any difficulty
about the affair, you understand my life's at an end
for any good it'll do me. Let's wait a while and think
over the thing further, and perhaps we'll see daylight
before long."

Hilliard made a gesture of impatience.

” If you can suggest any single thing that we should
do that we haven't done, I'm ready to do it. But if
you can't, I don't see that we'd be justified in keeping
ail that knowledge to ourselves for an indefinite time while
we waited for an inspiration. Is not that reasonable ? ''

” It's perfectly reasonable," Merriman admitted,
" and I don't suggest we should wait indefinitely.
What I propose is that we wait for a month. Give me
another month, Hilliard, and I'll be satisfied. I have
an idea that something might be learned from tracing
that lorry number business, and if you have to go back
to work I’ll slip over by myself to Bordeaux and see
what I can do. And if I fail I’ll see her, and try to get
her to marry me in spite of the trouble. Wait a mgrith,
Hilliard, and by that time I shall know where I stand."

Hilliard was extremely unwilling to agree to this
proposal. Though he realised that he could not hand
over to his superiors a complete case against the
syndicate, he also saw that considerable kudos was
still possible if he supplied information which would
enable their detectives to establish one. And every
day he delayed increased the chance of some one else
finding the key to the riddle, and thus robbing him of
his reward. Merriman realised the position, and he
therefore fully appreciated the sacrifice Hilhard was
risking when after a long discussion that young man
gave his consent.

Two days later Hilliard was back at his office, while
Merriman, after an argument with his partner not far
removed from a complete break, was on his way once
more to the south of France.

CHAPTER X

MERRIMAN BECOMES DESPERATE

The failure of the attempt to learn the secret of the
Pit-Prop Syndicate affected Merriman more than he
could have believed possible. His interest in the
affair was not that of Hilliard. Neither the intellectual
joy of solving a difficult problem for its own sake,
nor the kudos which such a solution might bring, made
much appeal to him. His concern was simply the happi-
ness of the girl he loved, and though, to do him justice,
he did not think overmuch of himself, he recognised
that any barrier raised between them was the end for
him of that made life endurable.

As he lay back with closed eyes in the comer seat of
a first-class compartment in the boat train from Calais,
he went over for the thousandth time the details of
the problem as it affected himself. Had Mr. Cobum
rendered himself liable to arrest or even to penal servi-
tude, and did his daughter know it ? The anxious,
troubled look which Merriman had on different occasions
surprised on the girl's expressive face made him fear
both these possibilities. But if they were tme did it
stop there ? Was her disquietude due merely to know-
ledge of her father's danger, or was she herself in peril
also ? Merriman wondered could she have such know-
ledge and not be in peril herself. In the eyes of the
law would it not be guilty knowledge ? Could she
not be convicted as an accessory?

If it were so he must act at once if he were to save
her. But how? He writhed under the terrible
feeling of impotence produced by his ignorance of
the syndicate's real business. If he were to help

133

134 ^ the pit-prop SYNDICATE

Madeleine he must know what the conspirators were
doing.

And he had failed to leam. He had failed, and
Hilliard had failed, and neither they nor Leatham had
been able to suggest any method by which the truth
might be ascertained.

There was, of course, the changing of the number
plates. A trained detective would no doubt be able
to make something of that. But Merriman felt that
without even the assistance of Hilliard, he had neither
the desire nor the ability to tackle it.

He pondered the question, as he had pondered it
for weeks, and the more he thought, the more he felt
himself driven to the direct course — to see Madeleine,
put the problem to her, ask her to marry him and come
out of it all. But there were terrible objections to this
plan, not the least of which was that if he made a
blunder it might be irrevocable. She might not hear
him at all. She might be displeased by Ids suggestion
that she and her father were in danger from such a
cause. She might decide not to leave her father for the
very reason that he was in danger. And 9JI ^ese
possibilities were, of course, in addition to the much
more probable one that she would simply refuse him
because she did not care about him.

Merriman did not see his way clearly, and he was
troubled. Once he had made up his mind he was not
easily turned from his purpose, but he v.’as slow in
making it up. In this case, where so much depended
on his decision, he found his doubt actually painful.

Mechanically he alighted at the Gare du Nord, crossed
Paris, and took his place in the southern express at
the Quai d’Orsay. Here he continued wrestling with
his problem, and it was not until he was near his
destination that he arrived at a decision. He would
not bother about further investigations. He would
go out and see Madeleine, tell her everything, and put
his fate into her hands.

He alighted at the Bastide Station in Bordeaux,

merriman becomes desperate 135

and driving across to the dty, put up at the Gironde
Hotel. There he siept the night, and next day after
lunch he took a taxi to the clearing.

Leaving the vehicle on the main road, he continued
on foot down the lane and past the depot until he
reached the manager's house.

The door was opened by Miss Cobum in person. On
seeing her visitor she stood for a moment quite motion-
less, while a look of dismay appeared in her eyes and a
hot flush rose on her face and then faded, leaving it
white and drawn.

“ Oh I " she gasped faintly. " It's you I " She
still stood holding the door, as if overcome by some
benumbing emotion.

Merriman had pulled off his hat.

"It is I, Miss Cobum," he answered gently. "I
have come over from London to see you. May I not
come in ? "

She stepped back.

" Come in, of course," she said, making an obvious
effort to infu‘ ^ cordiality into her tone. " Come in
here."

He fumbled with his coat in the hall, and by the time
he followed her into the drawing-room she had recovered
her composure.

She began rather breathlessly to talk commonplaces.
At first he answered in the same strain, but directly
he made a serious attenipt to turn the conversation to
the subject of his call she adroitly interrupted him.

" You'll have some tea ? " she said presently, getting
up and moving towards the door.

"Er — ^no — ^no, thanks. Miss Cobum, not any. I
wanted really "

" But I want some tea," she persisted smiling. "Come,
you may help me to get it ready, but you must have some
to keep me company."

He had perforce to obey, and during the tea making
she effectually prevented any serious discussion. But
when the meal was over and they had once more settled

136 THE PIT.PROP SYNDICATE

down in the drawing-room he would no longer be
denied.

" Forgive me/’ he entreated, forgive me for bother-
ing you, but it’s so desperately important to me. And
we may be interrupted. Do hear what I’ve got to say."

Without waiting for permission he plunged into his
subject. Speaking hoarsely, stammering, contradicting
himself, boggling over the words, he yet made himself
clear. He loved her; had loved her from that first
day they had met ; he loved her more than anything
else in the world ; he

She covered her face with her hands.

" Oh 1 " she cried wildly. " Don’t go on I Don't
say it 1 " She made a despairing gesture. " I can't
listen. I tried to stop you."

Merriman felt as if a cold weight was slowly descending
upon his heart.

" But I will speak," he cried hoarsely. " It’s my life
that’s at stake. Don't tell me you can’t listen. Made-
leine ! I love you. I want you to marry me. Say you'll
marry me. Madeleine ! Say it ! "

He dropped on his knees before her and seyjed^her
hands in his own.

" My darling," he whispered fiercely, " I love you
enough for us both. Say you’ll marry me. Say "

She wrenched her hands from him. " Oh ! " she cried
as if heartbroken, and burst into an uncontrollable
flood of tears.

Merriman was maddened beyond endurance by the
sight.

" What a brute I am ! " he gasped. " Now Tve made
you cry. For pity's sake I Do stop it 1 Nothing
matters about anything else if only you stop ! "

He was almost beside himself with misery as he
pleaded with her. But soon he pulled himself together
and began to speak more rationally.

" At least tell me the reason," he besought. " I
know I've no right to ask, but it matters so much.
Have pity and tell me, is it some one else ? "

MERRIMAN becomes desperate 137

She shook her head faintly between her sobs.

"Thank goodness for that an5nvay. Tell me once
again. Is it that you don't like me ? "

Again she shook her head.

" You do like me 1 " he exclaimed breathlessly.
" You do, Madeleine. Say it ! Say that you do 1 **

She made a resolute effort for self-control.

" You know I do, but slie began in a tremulous

whisper.

In a paroxysm of overwhelming excitement he
interrupted her.

" Madeleine/' he cried wildly, again seizing her
hands, " you don't — It couldn't be possible that you —
that you love me ? "

This time she did not withdraw her hands. Slowly
she raised her eyes to his, and in them he read his
answer. In a moment she was in his arms and he was
crushing her to his heart.

For a breathless space she lay, a happy little smile
on her lips, and then the moment passed. Oh 1 "
she cried, stni'^gling to release herself, " what have I
done ? Let me go I I shouldn't have——"

" Darling," he breathed triumphantly. " I'll never
let you go as long as I live I You love me ! What else
matters ? "

"No, no," she cried again, her tears once more
flowing. " I was wrong. I shouldn't have allowed you.
It can never be."

He laughed savagely.

Never be ? " he repeated. " Why, dear one, it is.
I'd like to know the person or thing that could stop it
now ! "

" It can never be," she repeated in a voice of despair.

" You don't understand. There are obstacles."

She argued. He scoffed first, then he pleaded. He
demanded to be told the nature of the barrier, then he
be.sought, but all to no purpose. She would say no
more than that it could never be.

And then suddenly the question of the syndicate
P.P.S. K

138 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

flashed into his mind, and he sat, almost gasping with
wonder as he realised that he had entirely forgotten it !
He had forgotten this mysterious business which had
occupied his thoughts to the exclusion of almost all
else for the past two months I It seemed to him in-
credible. Yet so it was.

There surged over him a feeling of relief, so that once
more he all but laughed. He turned to Madeleine.

I know,'* he cried triumphantly, the obstacle.
And it's just nothing at all. It*s this syndicate business
that your father has got mixed up in. Now tell me !
Isn't that it ? "

The effect of his words on the girl was instantaneous.
She started and then sat quite still, while the colour
slowly drained from her face, leaving it bleached and
deathlike. A look of fear and horror grew in her
eyes, and her fingers clasped until the knuckles showed
white.

" Oh 1 " she stammered brokenly, " what do you
mean by that ? "

Merriman tried once more to take her hand.

" Dear one," he said caressingly, " don't let wiiat I
said distress you. We know the S 5 mdicate is carrying
on something that — ^well, perhaps wouldn't bear too
close investigation. But that has nothing to do with
us. It won't affect our relations."

The girl seemed transfixed v/ith horror.

" We know ? " she repeated dully. " WTio are we ? "

" Why, Hilliard ; Hilliard and I. We found out
quite by accident that there was something secret
going on. We were both interested; Hilliard has a
mania for puzzles, and besides he thought he might
get some kudos if the business was — illegal and he
could bring it to light, while I knew that because of
Mr. Cobum's connection with it the matter might
affect you."

" Yes ? " She seemed hardly able to frame the
syllable between her dry lips.

Merriman was profoundly unhappy. He felt it was

MERRIMAN BECOMES DESPERATE 139

out of the question for him to tell her anything but the
exact truth. Whether she would consider he h^
acted improperly in spying on the syndicate he did
not know, but even at the risk of destroying his own
(iiance of happiness he could not deceive her.

"'Dear one,"' he said in a low tone, '‘don't think
any worse of me than yon can help, and I will
tell you everything. Yon remember that first day that
I was here, when you met me in the lane mid we walked
to the miU ?

She nodded.

" You may recall that a lorry had just arrived, and
that I stopped and stared at it ? Well, I had noticed
that the number plate had been changed."

" Ah," she exclaimed, " I was afraid you had."

" Yes, I saw it, though it conveyed nothing to me.
But I was interested, and one night in London, just to
make conversation in the club, I mentioned what I
had seen. Hilliard was present, and he joined me on
the way home and insisted on talking over the affair.
As I said, he has a mania for puzzles, and the mystery
appealed to him. He was going on that motor boat
tour across France, and he suggested that I should
join him arid that we should call here on our way, so
as to see if we could find the solution. Neither of us
thought then, you imderstand, that there was anything
wrong ; he was merely interested. I didn't care about
the mystery, but I confess I leaped at the idea of coming
back in order to meet you again, and on the under-
standing that there was to be nothing in the nature of
spying, I agreed to his proposal."

Merriman paused, but the girl, whose eyes were
fixed intently on his face, made no remark and he
continued : —

" While we were here, Hilliard, who is very observant
and clever, saw one or two little things which excited
his suspicion, and without telling me, he slipped on
board the Girondin and overheard a conversation
between Mr. Cobum, CaptafSn Beamish, Mr. Bulla, and

140 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

Henri. He learned at once that something serious
and fll^al was in progress, but he did not learn what
it was."

"Then there was spying," she declared accusingly.

" There was," he admitted. " I can only say that
under the circumstances he thought himself justified."

" Go on," she ordered shortly.

"We returned then to England, and were kept at
our ofi&ces for about a week. But Hilliard felt that we
could not drop the matter, as we should then become
accomplices. Besides, he was interested. He proposed
we should try to find out more about it. This time I
agreed, but I would ask you, Madeleine, to believe me
when I tell you my motive, and to judge me by it. He
spoke of reporting what he had learned to the police,
and if I ha^’t agreed to help him he would have done
so. I wanted at all costs to avoid that, because if
there was going to be any trouble I wanted Mr. Cobum
to be out of it first. Believe me or not, that was my
only reason for agreeing."

" I do believe you," she said, " but finish what you
have to tell me." . #

" We learned from Lloyd's List that the Girondin
put into Hulk We went there and at Ferriby, seven
miles up-stream, we found the depot where she dis-
charged the props. You don't know it ? "

She shook her head.

" It's quite like this place ; just a wharf and shed,
with an enclosure between the river and the railway.
We made all the inquiries and investigations we coidd
think of, but we learned absolutely nothing. But that,
imfortunately, is the worst of it. Hilliard is disgusted
with our failure and appears determined to tell the
police."

" Oh I " cried the girl with an impatient gesture.
" Why can't he let it done ? It's not his business."

Merriman shrugged his shoulders.

" That's what he said at all events. I had the greatest
difficulty in getting him to promise even to delay.

merriman becomes desperate

But he has promised, and we have a month to make
our plans. I came straight over to tell you, and to
ask you to many me at once and come away with me
to England.*'

Oh, no, no, no ! *' she cried, putting up her hand as
if to shield herself from the idea. "Besides, what
about my father ? "

" IVe thought about him too," Merriman returned.
“ We wiU tell him the whole thing, and he will be able
to get cut before the crash come*?."

For some moments she sat in silence, then she asked
had Hilliard any idea of what was being done.

"He suggested brandy smuggling, but it was only
a theory. There was nothing whatever to support it."

" Brandy smuggling ? Oh, if it only were I "

Merriman stared in amazement.

" It wouldn't be so bad as what I had feared," the
girl added, answering his look.

"And that was ? Do trust me, Madeleine."

" I do trust you, and I will tell you all I know ; it
isn't much. T was afraid they were printing and cir-
culating false money."

Merriman was genuinely surprised.

" False money ? " he repeated blankly. ♦

" Yes ; English Treasury notes. I thought they
were perhaps printing them over here, and sending some
to England with each tiip of the Girondin. It was a
remark I accidentally overheard that made me think
so. But, like you, it was only a guess. I had no
proof."

"Tell me," Merriman begged.

" It was last winter, when the evenings closed in
early. I had had a headache and I had gone to rest
for a few minutes in the next room, the dining-room,
which was in darkness. The door between it and this
room was almost, but not quite closed. I must have
fallen asleep, for I suddenly became conscious of voices
in here, though I had heard no one enter. I was going
to call out when a phrase arrested my attention. I did

Z42 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

not mean to listen, but involuntarily I stayed quiet
for a moment. You understand ?

*' Of course. It was the natural thing to do."

"Captain Beamish was speaking. He was just
finishing a sentence and I only caught the last few
words. ‘ So that’s a profit of six thousand, eight hundred
and fifty pounds,’ he said ; ‘fifty pounds loss on the
props, and six thousand eight hundred netted over
the other. Not bad for one trip ? ' "

" Lord 1 " Merriman exclaimed in amazement. " No
wonder you stopped I "

" I couldn't understand what was meant, and while
I sat imdecided what to do I heard my father say,
‘No trouble planting the stuff?' Captain Beamish
answered, ‘Archer said not, but then Archer is — ^Archer.
He's planting it in small lots — ^ten here, twenty there,
fifty in t'other place ; I don't think he put out more
than fifty at any one time. And he says he's only
learning his way round, and that he'll be able to form
better connections to get rid of it.' Then Mr. Bulla
spoke, and this was what upset me so much and made
me think. ‘Mr. Archer is a wonderful man,' h# said
with that horrible fat chuckle of his, ‘he would plant
stuff on Old Nick himself with the whole of the G.I.D.
looking on.' I was bewildered and rather horrified,
and I did not wait to hear any more. I crept away
noiselessly, as I didn't want to be found as it were
listening. Even then I did not understand that anything
was wrong, but it happened that the very next day I
was walking through the forest near the lane, and I
noticed Henri changing the numbers ou the lorry.
He didn't see me, and he had such a stealthy, surrepti-
tious air, that I couldn't but see it was not a joke.
Putting two and two together I felt something serious
was going on, and that night I asked my father what
it was."

" Well done 1 " Merriman exclaimed admiringly.

" But it was no use. He made little of it at fost,
but when I pressed him he said that against his will

MERMMAN B|:(X)MES DESPERATE 143

he had been forced into an enterprise which he hated
and which he was trying to get out of. He said I
must be patient and we should get away from it as
quickly as possible. But since then/' she added
despondently, though I have returned to the subject
time after time he has always put me off, saying that
we must wait a little longer/*

' And then you thought of the false notes r "

“ Yes, but I had no reason to do so except that I
couldi/t think of anything els'" that would fit the
words I had overheard. Planting stuff by tens or
twenties or fifties seemed to—"

There was a sudden noise in the hall and Madeleine
broke off to listen.

" Father," she whispered breathlessly. " Don't say
anything."

Merriman had just time to nod when the door opened
and Mr. Coburn appeared on the threshold. For a
moment he stood looking at his daughter's visitor,
while txie emotions of doubt, surprise and annoyance
seemed to p/»ss successively through his mind. Then
he advanced with outstretched hand and a somewhat
satirical smile on his lips.

" Ah, it is the good Merriman," he exclaimed.
"Welcome once more to our humble abode. And
where is brother Hilliard ? You don't mean to say
you have come without him ? "

His tone jarred ou Merriman, but he answered
courteously : —

" I left him in London. I had business bringing me
to this neighbourhood, and when I reached Bordeaux
I took the opportunity to run out to see you and Miss
Cobum."

The manager replied suitably, and the conversation
became general. As soon as he could with civility,
Merriman rose to go. Mr. Cobum cried out in protest,
but the other insisted.

Mr. Cobum had become more cordial, and the two
men strolled together across the clearing. Merriman

144 the PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

had had no opportunity of further private conversation
with Madeleine, but he pressed her hand and smiled
at her encouragingly on saying good-bye.

As the taxi bore him swiftly back towards Bordeaux,
his mind was occupied with the girl to the exclusion
of all else. It was not so much that he thought definitely
about her, as that she seemed to fill all his consciousness.
He felt numb, and his whole being ached for her as
with a dull physical pain. But it was a pain that was
mingled with exultation, for if she had refused him,
she had at least admitted that she loved him. In-
credible thought I He smiled ecstatically, then, the
sense of loss returning, once more gazed gloomily
ahead into vacancy.

As the evening wore on his thoughts turned towards
what she had said about the syndicate. Her forged
note theory had come to liim as a cqmplete surprise,
and he wondered whether she really had hit on the
true solution of the mystery. The conversation she
had overheard undoubtedly pointed in that direction.

Planting stuff '' was, he believed, the technical
phrase for passing forged notes, and the reference to
“ tens," “ twenties," and " fifties," tended in the same
direction. Also " forming connections to get rid of it "
seemed to suggest the finding of agents who would tak6
a number of notes at a time, to be passed on bj^ ones
and twos, no doubt for a consideration.

But there was the obvious difficulty that the theory
did not account for the operations as a whole. The
elaborate mechanism of the pit-prop industry was not
needed to provide a means of carrying forged notes
from France to England. They could be secreted
about the person of a traveller crossing by any of the
ordinary routes. Hundreds of notes could be sewn
into the lining of an overcoat, thousEinds carried in
the double bottom of a suitcase. Of course, so frequent
a traveller would require a plausible reason for his
journeys, but that would present no difficulty to men
like those composing the syndicate. In any case, by

MERRIJtAN BECOMES DESPERATE 145

crossing in rotation by the dozen or so well-patronised
routes between England and the Continent, the con-
tinuity of the travelling could be largely hidden.
Moreover, thought Merriman, why print the notes in
France at all? Why not produce them in England
and so save the need for importation ?

On the whole there seemed but slight support for
the theory and several strong arguments against it,
and he felt that Madeleine must be mistaken, just as
he and Hilliard had been mistaken.

Oh ! how sick of the whole business he was I He
no longer cared what the syndicate was doing. He
never wanted to hear of it again. He wanted Madeleine,
and he wanted nothing else. His thoughts swung
back to her as he had seen her that afternoon ; her
trim figure, her daintiness, her brown eyes clouded
with trouble, herj^ttle shell-like ears escaping from the
tendrils of her hair, her tears. ... He broke out
once more into a cold sweat as he thought of those
tears.

Presently began wondering what his own next
step should be, and he soon decided he must see her
again, and with as little delay as possible.

The next afternoon, therefore, he once more presented
himself at the house in the clearing. This time the
door was opened by an elderly servant, who handed
him a note and informed him that Mr. and Miss Cobum
had left home for some days.

Bitterly disappointed he turned away, and in the
solitude of the lane he opened the note. It read : —

" Friday,

Dear Mr. Merriman, — 1 feel it is quite impossible
that we should part without a word more than could
be smd at our interrupted interview this afternoon,
so with deep sorrow I am writing to say to you, dear
Mr. Merriman, * Good-bye.' I have enjoyed our short
friendship, and all my life I shall be proud that you
spoke as you did, but, my dear, it is just because I

146 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

think so much of you that I could not bring your life
under the terrible doud that hangs over mine. Though
it hurts me to say it, I have no option but to ask you
to accept the answer I gave you as final, and to forget
that we met.

" I am leaving home for some time, and I beg of you
not to give both of us more pain by trying to follow me.
Oh, my dear, I cannot say how grieved I am.

Your sincere friend,

" Madeleine Coburn."

Merriman was overwhelmed utterly by the blow.
Mechanically he regained the taxi, where he lay limply
back, gripping the note and imconscious of his position,
while his bloodless lips repeated over and over again
the phrase, " I'll find her. I'll find her. If it takes
me sill my life I'll find her and I'll marry her."

Like a man in a state of coma he returned to his
hotel in Bordeaux, and there, for the first time in his
life, he drank himself into forgetfulness.

CHAPTER XI

AN UNEX’^ECIED ALLY

For several days Merriman, sick at Leart and shaken
in body, remained on at Bordeaux, too numbed by the
blow which had fallen on him to take any decisive
action. He now understood that Madeleine Cobum
had refused liim because she loved him, and he vowed
he would rest neither day nor night till he had seen
her and obtained a reversal of her decision. But for
the moment his energy had departed, and he spent his
time smoking in the Jardin and brooding over his
troubles.

It true that on three separate occasions he had
called at the manager's house, only to be told that Mr.
and Miss Cobum were still from home, and neither
there nor from the foreman at the works could he
learn their addresses or the date of their return. He
had also written a couple of scrappy notes to Hilliard,
merely saying he was on a fresh scent, and to make
no move in the matter until he heard further. Of
the Pit-Prop Syndicate as apart from Madeleine he
was now profoundly wearied, and he wished for nothing
more than never again to hear its name mentioned.

But after a week of depression and self-pity his
natural good sense reasserted itself, and he began
seriously to consider his position. He honestly believed
that Madeleine's happiness could best be brought about
by the fulfilment of his o^vn, in other words by their
marriage. He appreciated the motives which had
caused her to refuse him, but he hoped that by his
continued persuasion he might be able, as he put it
to himself, to talk her roimd. Her very flight from him,

*47

148 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

for such he believed her absence* to be, seemed to
indicate that she herself was doubtful of her power to
hold out against him, and to this extent he drew comfort
from his immediate difficulty.

He concluded before trying any new plan to call
once again at the clearing, in the hope that Mr. Cobum
at least might have returned. The next afternoon,
therefore, saw him driving out along the now familiar
road. It was still hot, with the heavy enervating
heat of air held stagnant by the trees. The freshness
of early summer had gone, and there was a hint of
approaching autumn in the darker greenery of the
firs, and the over maturity of such shrubs and wild
flowers as could find along the edge of the road a
precarious roothold on the patches of ground not
covered by pine needles. Merriman gazed unceasingly
ahead at the straight white ribbon of the road, as he
pondered the problem of what he should do if once
again he should be disappointed in his quest. Madeleine
could not, he thought, remain indefinitely away. Mr.
Cobum at all events would have to return to his work,
and it would be a strange thing if he could not obtain
from the father some indication of his daughter’s
whereabouts.

But his call at the manager’s house was as fmitless
on this occasion as on those preceding. The woman
from whom he had received the note opened the door
and repeated her former statement. Mr. and Miss
Coburn were still from home.

Merriman turned away disconsolately, and walked
slowly back across the clearing and down the lane.
Though he told himself he had expected nothing from
the visit, he was nevertheless bitterly disappointed
with its result. And worse than his disappointment
was his inability to see his next step, or even to think
of any scheme whici* might lead him to the object of
his hopes.

He trudged on down the lane, his head sunk and
his brows knitted, only half conscious of his surroxmdings.

AN UNEXPECTED ALLY 149

Looking up listlessly as he rounded a bend, he stopped
suddenly as if turned to stone, while his heart first
stood sthl, then began thumping wildly as if to choke
him. A few yards away and coming to meet him was
Madeleine !

She caught sight of him at the same instant and
stopped with a low cry, while an expression of dread
camt; over her face. So for aii appreciable time they
stood looking at one another, then Meniman, Training
the power of motion, sprang forvard and seized her
hands.

" Madeleine ! Madeleine I he cried brokenly. My
own one I My beloved ! He almost sobbed as he
attempted to strain her to his heart.

But she wrenched herself from him.

" No, no ! '' she gasped. " You must not I I told
you. It cannot be.*'

He pled with her, fiercely, passionately, and at last
despairingly. But he could not move her. Always
she repeated that it could not be.

** At least toll me this," he begged at last. “ Would
you marry me if this syndicate did not exist ; I mean
if Mr. Cobum was not mixed up with it ? "

At first she would not answer, but presently overcome
by his persistence, she burst once again into tears and
admitted that her fear of disgrace arising through
discovery of the syndicate's activities was her only
reason for refusal.

" Then," said Merriman resolutely, " I will go back
with you now and see Mr. Cobum, and we talk
over what is to be done."

At this her eyes dilated wdth terror.

" No, IK) I " she cried again. " He would be in
danger. He would try something that might offend
the others, and his life might not be safe. I tell you
I don't tmst Captain Beamish and Mr. Bulla. I don't
think they would stop at an5^hing to keep their secret.
He is trying to get out of it, and he must not be hurried.
He will do what he can."

150 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

my dearest,” Merriman remonstrated, ”it
could do no harm to talk the matter over with him.
That would commit him to nothing.”

But she would not hear of it.

” If he thought my happiness depended on it,” she
declared, ” he would break with them at all costs. I
could not risk it. You must go away. Oh, my dear,
you must go. Go, go ! ” she entreated almost hysteri-
cally, ” it will be best for us both.”

Merriman, though beside himself with suffering,
felt he could no longer disregard her.

” I shall go,” he answered sadly, ” since you require
It, but I will never give you up. Not until one of us is
dead, or you marry some one else — 1 will never give
you up. Oh, Madeleine, have pity and give me some
hope; sometibing to keep me alive till this trouble is
over.”

She was beginning to reply when she stopped suddenly
and stood listening.

” The lorry ! ” she cried, ” Go 1 Go I ” Then pointing
wildly in the direction of the road, she turned and
fled rapidly back towards the clearing. p

Merriman gazed after her until she passed round a
comer of the lane and was lost to sight among the
trees. Then, with a weight of hopeless despair on his
heart, he began to walk towards the road. The lorry,
driven by Henri, passed him at the next bend, and
Henri, though he saluted with a show of respect, smiled
sardonically as he noted the other's woebegone
appearance.

But Merriman neither knew nor cared what the
driver thought. Almost physically sick with misery
and disappointment he regained his taxi and was
driven back to Bordeaux.

The next few days seemed to him like a nightmare
of hideous reality and permanence. He moved as a man
in a dream, living tmder a shadow of almost tangible
weight, as a criminal must do who has been sentenced
to early execution. The longing to see Madeleine again,

AN ITNEXPECTED ALLY ISI

to hear the sound of her voice, to fed her presence,
was so intense as to be almost unendurable. Again
and again he said to himself that had she cared for
another, had she even told him that she could not
care for him, he would have taken his dismissal as
irrevocable and gone to try and drag out the remainder
of his life elsewhere as best he could. But he was
maddened to think that the major difficulty— the
overwhelming, insuperable difficulty— of his suit had
been overcome. She loved him ! Miraculous and
incredible though it might seem — though it was— it
was the amazing truth. And that being so, it was
beyond bearing that a mere truckling to convention
should be allowed to step in and snatch away the
ecstasy of happiness that was within his grasp. And
worse still, this truckling to convention was to save
— him I What, he asked himself savagely, did it
matter about him ? Even if the worst happened and
she suffered shame through her father, wasn't aU he
wanted to be allowed to share it with her ? And if
narrow, stup’ii fools did talk, what matter ? They
could do without their companionship.

Fits of wild rage alternated with periods of cold and
numbing despair, but as day succeeded day the desire
to be near her grew until it could no longer be denied.
He dared not again attempt to force himself into her
presence, lest she should be angry and shatter irrevocably
the hope to which he still dung with desperation. But
he might without fear of disaster be nearer to her for
a time. He hired a bicycle, and after dark had fallen
that evening he rode out to the lane, and leaving his
machine on the road, walked to the edge of the clearing.
It was a perfect night, calm and silent, though with a
slight touch of chill in the air. A crescent moon shone
soft and silvery, lighting up pallidly the open space,
gleaming on the white wood of the freshly cut stumps,
and throwing black shadows from the ghostly looking
buildings. It was close on midnight, and Merriman
looked eagerly across the clearing to the manager's

152 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

house. He was not disappointed. There, in the window
that he knew belonged to her room, shone a light.

He slowly approached, keeping on the fringe of the
clearing and beneath the shadow of the trees. Some
shrubs had taken root on the open ground, and behind
a clump of these, not far from the door, he lay down,
filled his pipe, and gave himself up to dreams. The
light still showed in the window, but even as he looked
it went out, leaving the front of the house dark and,
as it seemed to him, unfriendly and forbidding. " Per-
haps she'll look out before going to bed," he thought,
as he gazed disconsolately at the blank, unsympathetic
opening. But he could see no movement therein.

He lost count of time as he lay dreaming of the girl
whose existence had become more to him than his
very life, and it was not until he suddenly realised that
he had become stiff and cramped from the cold that
he looked at his watch. Nearly two ! Once more he
glanced sorrowfully at the window, realising that no
comfort was to be obtained therefrom, and decided
he might as well make his way back, for all the ease
of mind he was getting. p

He turned slowly to get up, but just as he did so
he noticed a slight movement at the side of the house
before him, and he remained motionless, gazing intently
forward. Then, spellbound, he watched Mr. Coburn
leave by the side door, walk quickly to the shed, unlock
a door, and disappear within.

There was something so secretive in the way the
manager looked around before venturing into the open,
and so stealthy about his whole walk and bearing,
that Merriman's heart beat more quickly as he wondered
if he was now on the threshold of some revelation of
the mystery of that outwardly innocent place. Obe5dng
a sudden instinct, he rose from his hiding-place in the
bushes and crept silently across the sward to the door
by which the other had entered.

It was locked, and the whole place was dark and
silent. Were it not for what he had just seen, Merriman

AN UNEXPECTED ALLY I53

would have believed it deserted. But it was evident
that some secret and perhaps sinister activity was in
progress within, and for the moment he forgot even
Madeleine in his anxiety to learn its nature.

He crept silently round the shed, trying each door
and peering into "each window, but without result.
All remained fast and in darkness, and though he
listened with the utmost inientness of which he was
capable, he could not catch any sound.

His round of the building completed, he paused in
doubt. Should he retire while there was time, and
watch for Mr. Coburn's reappearance with perhaps
some of his accomplices, or should he wait at the door
and tackle him on the matter when he came out ? His
first preference W’as for the latter course, but as he
thought over it he felt it would be better to reserve his
knowledge, and he turned to make for cover.

But even as he did so he heard the manager say in
low, harsh tones : ** Hands up now, or I fire ! ” and

swinging round, he found himself gazing into the bore
of a small, deadly looking repeating pistol.

Automatically he raised his arms, and for a few
moments both men stood motionless, staring perplexedly
at one another. Then Mr. Coburn lowered the pistol
and attempted a laugh, a laugh nervous, shaky, and
without merriment. His lips smiled, but his eyes
remained cold and venomous.

“ Good heavens, M^'criman, but you did give me a
start/’ he cried, making an evident effort to be jocular.

What in all the world are you doing here at this
hour ? Sorry for my greeting, but one has to be careful
here. You know the district is notorious for brigands/’

Merriman was not usually very prompt to meet
emergencies. He generally realised when it was too late
what he ought to have said or done in any given cir-
cumstances. But on this occasion a flash of veritable
inspiration revealed a way by which he might at one
and the same time account for his presence, disarm the
manager’s suspicions, and perhaps even gain his point

P.P.S. T

154 the pit-prop SYNDICATE

vrith regard to Madeleine. He smiled back at the
other.

Sorry for startling you, Mr. Cobum. I have been
looking for you for some days to discuss a very delicate
matter, and I came out late this evening in the hope of
attracting your attention after Miss Cobum had retired,
so that our chat could be quite confidential. But in
the darkness I fell and hurt my knee, and I spent so
much time waiting for it to get better that I was ashamed
to go to the house. Imagine my delight when, just
as I was turning to leave, I saw you coming down to
the shed, and I followed with the object of trying to
attract your attention.*'

He hardly expected that Mr. Cobum would have
accepted his statement, but whatever the manager
believed privately, he gave no sign of suspicion.

"I'm glad your journey was not fruitless," he
answered courteously. " As a matter of fact, my neu-
ralgia kept me from sleeping, and I found I had forgotten
my bottle of aspirin down here, where I had brought
it for the same purpose this morning. It seemed worth
the trouble of coming for it, and I came." ^

As he spoke Mr. Cobum took from his pocket and
held up for Merriman's inspection a tiny phial half
full of white tablets.

It was now Merriman’s turn to be sceptical, but he
murmured polite regrets in as convincing a way as he
was able.

.* " Let us go back into my office," the manager con-
tinued. " If you want a private chat we can have it
there."

He unlocked the door, and passing in first, lit a
reading-lamp on his desk. Then rdocking the door
behind his visitor and unostentatiously slipping the
key into his pocket, he sat down at the desk, waved
Merriman to a cliair, and producing a box of cigars,
passed it across.

The windows, Merriman noticed, were covered by
heavy blinds, and it was evident that no one could

AN UNEXPECTED ALLY 155

see intQ the room, nor could the light be observed from
without. The dt or behind him was locked, and in Wt.
Cobum's pocket was the key as well as a revolver,
while Meniman was unarmed. Moreover, Mr. Cobum
was the larger and heavier, if not the stronger man of
the two. It was true his words and manner were those
of a friend, but the cold hatred m his eyes revealed his
purpose. Merriman instantly realised he was in very
real personal danger, and it was borne in on him that
if he was to get out of that room alive, it was to his
own wits he must tmst.

But he was no coward, and he did not forget to
limp as he crossed the room, nor did his hand shake
as he stretched it out to take a cigar. When he came
within the radius of the lamp he noticed with satisfac-
tion that his coat was covered with fragments of moss
and leaves, and he rather ostentatiously bmshed these
away, partly to prove to the other his calmness, and
partly to draw attention to them in the hope that they
wonlJ be accepted as evidence of his fall.

Fearing lest if they began a desultory conversation
he might be tricked by his astute opponent into
giving himself away, he left the latter no opportunity
to make a remark, but plunged at once into his
subject.

*‘I feel myself, Mr. Cobum," he began, "not a
little in your debt for granting me this interview. But
the matter on which I wish to speak to you is so delicate
and confidential, that I think you will agree that any
precautions against eavesdroppers are justifiable."

He spoke at first somewhat formally, but as interest
in his subject quickened, he gradually became more
conversational.

" The first thing I have to tell you," he went on,

' may not be very pleasing hearing to you, but it is a
matter of almost life and death importance to me.

I have come, Mr. Cobum, very deeply and sincerely
to love your daughter."

Mr. Cobum frowned slightly, but he did not seem

THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

156

surprised, nor did he reply except by a slight bow.
Merriman continued : —

** That in itself need not necessarily be of interest to
you, but there is more to tell, and it is in this second
point that the real importance of my statement lies,
and on it hinges everything that I have to say to you.
Madeleine, sir, has given me a definite assurance that
my love for her is returned."

Still Mr. Coburn made no answer, save than by
another slight inclination of his head, but his eyes
had grown anxious and troubled.

" Not unnaturally," Merriman resumed, " I begged
her to marry me, but she saw fit to decline. In view
of the admission she had just made, I was somewhat
surprised that her refusal was so vehement. I pressed
her for the reason, but she utterly declined to give it.
Then an idea struck me, and I asked her if it was
because she feared that your connection with this
syndicate might lead to unhappiness. At first she
would not reply nor give me any satisfaction, but at
last by persistent questioning, and only when she saw
I knew a great deal more about the business than she
did herself, she admitted that that was indeed ^the
barrier. Not to put too fine a point on it — ^it is better,
is it not, sir, to be perfectly candid — ^she is living in
terror and dread of your arrast, and she won't marry
me for fear that if it were to happen she might bring
disgrace on me."

Mr. Coburn had not moved during this speech, except
that his face had become pale^* and the look of cold
menace in his eyes seemed charged with a still more
vindictive hatred. Then he answered slowly : —

" I can only assume, Mr. Merriman, that your mind
has become temporarily unhinged, but even with such
an excuse, you cannot really believe that I am going
to wait here and listen to you making such statements."

Merriman bent forward.

“ Sir," he said earnestly, “ I state on my honour as
a gentleman, and I ask you to believe, that I am

AN UNEXPECTED ALLY 157

approaching you as a friend. I am myself an interested
party. I have Fought this interview for Madeleine's
sake. For her sake, and for her sake only, I have
come to ask you to discuss with me the best way out
of the diSiculty."

Mr. Cobum rose abruptly.

“ The best way out of the difficulty,” he declared,
no longer attempting to di<?guise the hatred he felt,
”is for you to take yourself off and never to show
your face here again. I am ama/ed at you.” He
took his automatic pistol out of his pocket. ” Don't
you know that you are completely in my power ? If
I chose I could shoot you like a dog and sink your
body in the river, and no one would ever know what
had become of you.”

Merriman's heart was beating rapidly. He had the
imcomfortable suspicion that he had only to turn his
back to get a bullet into it. He assumed a confidence
he was far from feeling.

” Cr the contrary, Mr. Cobum,” he said quietly,
” it is you who are in our power. I'm afraid you don't
quite appreciate the situation. It is true you could
shoot me now, but if you did, nothing could save you.
It would be the rope for you and prison for your con-
federates, and what about your daughter then ? I
tell you, sir, I'm not such a fool as you take me for.
Knowing what I do, do you think it likely I should
put myself into your power unless I knew I was
safe ? ”

His assurance was not without its effect. The other's
face grew paler and he sat heavily down in his chair.

” I'll hear what you have to say,” he said harshly,
though without letting go his weapon.

” Then let me begin at the beginning. You remember
that first evening I was here, when you so kindly
supplied me with petrol ? Sir, you were correct when
you told Captain Beamish and Mr. Bulla that I had
noticed the changing of the lorry number plate. I
had.”

158 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

Mr. Cobum started slightly, but he did not speak,
and Merriman went on : —

I was interested, though the thing conveyed nothing
to me. But some time later I mentioned it casually,
and Hilliard, who has a mania for puzzles, overheard.
He suggested my joining him on his trip, and calling
to see if we could solve it. You, Mr. Coburn, said
another thing to your friends — that though I might
have noticed about the lorry, you were certain neither
Hilliard nor I had seen anything suspicious at the
clearing. There, sir, you were wrong. Though at that
time we could not teU what was going on, we knew it
was something illegal."

Coburn was impressed at last. He sat motionless
staring at the speaker. As Merriman remained silent,
he moved.

" Go on," he said hoarsely, licking his dry
lips.

" I would ask you please to visualise the situation
when we left. Hilliard believed he was on the track
of a criminal organisation, carrying on illicit operations
on a large scale. He believed that by lodging witix
the police the information he had gained, the Break-
up of the organisation and the capture of its members
would be assured, and that he would stand to gain
much kudos. But he did not know what the operations
were, and he hesitated to come forward, lest by not
waiting and investigating further he should destroy
his chance of handing over to the authorities a complete
case. He was therefore exceedingly keen that we should
carry on inquiries at what I may call the English end
of the business. Such was Hilliard’s attitude. I trust
I make myself clear."

Again Cobum nodded without speaking.

" My position was different. I had by that time
come to care for Madeleine, and I saw the effect any
disclosure must have on her. I therefore wished things
kept secret, and I urged Hilliard to carry out his second
idea and investigate further so as to make his case

AN UNEXPECTED AEtY X39

complete. He made my assistance a condition of
agreement, and I therefore consented to help him."

itfr . Cobum was now ghastly, and was listening with
breathless earnestness to his visitor. Merriman realised
what he had always suspected, that the man was
weak and a bit of a coward, and he began to believe
his bluff would carry him through.

"I need not trouble you," he went on, "with all
the details of our search. It is enough to say that we
found out what we wanted. We '.vent to Hull, dis-
covered the wharf at Ferriby, made the acquaintance
of Benson, and witnessed what went on there. We
know all about Archer and how he plants your stuff,
and Morton, who had us under observation and whom
we properly tricked. I don't claim any credit for it ;
all that belongs to Hilliard. And I admit we did not
learn certain small details of your scheme. But the
main points are clear — clear enough to get convictions
anyvf&y."

Afte. a pause to let his words create their full effect,
Merriman continued : —

" Then arose the problem that had bothered us
before. Hilliard was wild to go to the authorities with
his story ; on Madeleine’s account I still wanted it
kept quiet. I needn’t recount our argument. Suffice
it to say that at last we compromised. Hilliard agreed
to wait for a month. For the sake of our friendship
and the help I had given him, he undertook to give me
a month to settle something about Madeleine. Mr.
Cobvun, nearly half that month is gone and I am not
one step farther on.”

The manager wiped the drops of sweat from his pallid
brow. Merriman’s quiet, confident manner, with its
apparent absence of bluff or threat had had its effect
on him. He was evidently thoroughly frightened, and
seemed to think it no longer worth while to plead
ignorance. As Merriman had hoped and intended, he
appeared to conclude that conc^tion would be his
b^t chance.

i6o THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

Then no one but you two know so far ? '' he asked,
a diifty, sly look passing over his face.

Meniman read his thoughts and bluffed again.

“ Yes and no/’ he answered. No one but we two
knows at present. On the other hand, we have naturally
taken all reasonable precautions. Hilliard prepared a
full statement of the matter which we both signed,
and this he sent to his banker with the request that
unless he claimed it in person before the given date,
the banker was to convey it to Scotland Yard. If
anything happens to me here, Hilliard will go at once
to the Yard, and if anything happens to him our docu-
ment will be sent there. And in it we have suggested
that if either of us disappear, it will be equivalent to
adding murder to the other charges made.''

It was enough. Mr. Coburn sat, broken and com-
pletely cowed. To Merriman he seemed suddenly to
have become an old man. For several minutes silence
reigned and then at last the other spoke.

“ What do you want me to do ? " he asked, in a
tremulous voice, hardly louder than a whisper.

Merriman's heart leaped.

" To consider your daughter, Mr. Coburn,^ ^ he
answered promptly. ** All I want is to marry Madeleine,
and for her sake I want you to get out of this thing
before the crash comes."

Mr. Cobum once more wiped the drops of sweat
from his forehead.

" My God 1 " he cried hoarsely. " Ever since it
started I have been tr 5 ring to get out of it. I was forced
into it against my will and I would give my soul if I
could do as you say and get free. But I can't — ^I
can't,"

He buried his head in his hands and sat motionless,
leaning on his desk.

"But your daughter, Mr. Cobum," Merriman per-
sisted. " For her sake something must be done."

Mr. Coburn shook his clenched fists in the air.

" Damnation take you I " he cried, with a sudden

AN UNEXPECTED ALLY i6l

access of rage, " do you think I care about mysdi ?
Do you think I'd ^it here and listen to you talking as
you've done if it wasn't for her ? By God 1 I'd shoot
you as you sit, if I didn't know from my own observation
that she is fond of you. I swear it's the only thing t^t
has saved you." He rose to his leet and began pacing
jerkily to and fro. " See here," he continued wildly,

Co away from here before I do it. 1 can't stand any
more of you at present. Go now and come back on Friday
night at the same time, and I'll tell you my decision.
Here's the key," he threw it down on the desk. " Get
out quick before I do for you ! "

Merriman was for a moment inclined to stand his
ground, but, realising that not only had he carried his
point as far as he could have expected, but also that
his companion was in so excited a condition as hardly
to be accountable for his actions, he decided discretion
was the better part, and merely saying : " Very well,
Friday night," he unlocked the door and took his
leavi .

On the whole he was well pleased with his interview.
In the first place, he had by his readiness escaped an
imminent personal danger. What was almost as
important, he had broken the ice with Mr. Cobum
about Maddeine, and the former had not only declared
that he was aware of the state of his daughter's feelings,
but he had expressed no objection to the proposed
match. Further, an understanding as to Mr. Coburn's
own position had been come to. He had practically
admitted that the syndicate was a felonious conspiracy,
and had stated that he would do almost anything to
get out of it. Finally he had promised a decision on
the whole question in three days' time. Quite a
triumph, Merriman thought.

On the other hand, he had given the manager a
warning of danger which the latter might communicate
to his fellow-conspirators, with the result that all of
them might escape from the net in which Hilliard, at
any rate, wished to enmesh them. And just to this

i 62 the pit-prop syndicate

extent he had become a co-partner in their crime.
And though it was true that he had escaped from his
immediate peril, he had undoubtedly placed himself
and Hilliard in very real danger. It was by no means
impossible that the gang would decide to murder both
of the men whose knowledge threatened them, in the
hope of bluffing the bank manager out of the letter
which they would believe he held. Merriman had
invented this letter on the spur of the moment, and
he would have felt a good deal happier if he knew that
it really existed. He decided he would write to Hilliard
immediately and get him to make it a reality.

A great deal, he thought, depended on the character
of Cobum. If he was weak and cowardly he would
try to save his own skin and let the others walk into
the net. Particularly might he do this if he had suffered
at their hands in the way he suggested. On the other
hand, a strong man would xmdoubtedly consult his
fellow-conspirators and see that a pretty determined
fight was made for their liberty and their source of gain.

He had thought of all this when it suddenly flashed
into his mind that Mr. Coburn's presence in tljp shed
at two in the morning in itself required a lot of ex-
planation. He did not for a moment believe the aspirin
story. The man had looked so shifty while he was
speaking, that even at the time Merriman had decided
he was lying. What then could he have been doing ?

He puzzled over the question, but without result.
Then it occured to him that as he was doing nothing
that evening he might as well ride out again to the
clearing and see if any nocturnal activities were under-
taken.

Midnight therefore found him once more ensconced
behind a group of shrubs in full view of both the house
and the shed. It was again a perfect night, and again
he lay dreaming of the ^rl who was so near in body
and in spirit, and yet so infinitely far beyond his reach.

Time passed slowly, but the hours wore gradually
round until his watch showed two o'clock. Then, just

AN UNEXPECTED ALLY 163

as he was thinking that he need hardly wait much
longer, he was considerably thrilled to see Mr. Cobum
once more appear at the side door of the house, and in
the same stealthy, secretive way as on the previous
night, walk hurriedly to the shed and let himself in
by the office door.

At first Merriman thought of following him again in
th^ hope of learning the nacure of these strange pro-
ceedings, but a moment's thought showed him he must
run no risk of discovery. If Coburn learned that he
was being spied on he would at once doubt Merriman's
statement that he knew the syndicate's secret. It
would be better, therefore, to lie low and await events.

But the only other interesting event that happened
was that some fifteen minutes later the manager left
the shed, and with the same show of secrecy returned
to his house, disappearing into the $ide door.

So intrigued was Merriman by the whole business
that he determined to repeat his visit the following
night riso. He did so, and once again witnessed Mr.
Cobum's stealthy walk to the shed at two a.m./ and
iiis equally stealthy return at two-fifteen.

Rack his brains as he would over the problem of
these nocturnal visits, Merriman could think of no
explanation. What for three consecutive nights could
bring the manager down to the sawmill ? He could not
imagine, but he was clear it was not the pit-prop
industry.

If the Girondin had been in he would have once
more suspected smuggling, but she was then at Ferriby.
No, it certainly did not work in with smuggling. Still
less did it suggest false note printing, unless — Merriman's
heart beat more quickly as a new idea entered his
mind. Suppose the notes were printed there, at the
mill I Suppose there was a cellar under the engine
house, and suppose the work was done at night ? It
was true they had not seen signs of a cellar, but if this
surmise was correct it was not likely they should.

At first sight this theory seemed a real advance, but

i64 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

a little further thought showed it had serious objections.
Firstly, it did not explain Cobum's nightly visits. If
the manager had spent some hours in the works it
might have indicated the working of a press, but what
in that way could be done in fifteen minutes ? Further,
and this seemed to put the idea quite out of court, if
the notes were being produced at the clearing, why the
changing of the lorry numbers ? That would then be
a part of the business quite unconnected with the
illicit traffic. After much thought, Merriman had to
admit to himself that here was one more of the series
of insoluble puzzles with which they found themselves
faced.

The next night was Friday, and in accordance with
the arrangement made with Mr. Coburn, Merriman
once again went out to the clearing, presenting himself
at the works door at two in the morning. Mr. Coburn
at once opened to his knock, and after locking the
door, led the way to his office. There he wasted no time
in preliminaries.

** I've thought this over, Merriman," he said, and
his manner was very different from that of the previous
interview, " and I'm bound to say that I've f^alised
that, though interested, your action towards me has
been very decent, not to say generous. Now I've
made up my mind what I'll do, and I trust you will
see your way to fall in with my ideas. Thei e is a meeting
of the syndicate on Thursday week. 1 should have
been present in any case, and I have decided that,
whatever may be the result, I vilJ tell them I am going
to break with them. I will give ill-health as my reason
for this step, and fortunately or unfortunately I can
do this with truth, as my heart is seriously diseased.
I can easily provide the necessary doctor's certificates.
If they accept my resignation, well and good — I will
emigrate to my brother in South America and you
and Madeleine. can be married. If they decline, well "
— ^Mr. Cobum shrugged his shoulders — " your em-
barrassment will be otherwise removed."

AN UNEXPECTED ALLY 165

He paused. Merriman would have spoken, but Mr.
Cobum held up hi? hand for silence and went on : —

I confess I have been terribly upset for the last
three days to discover my wisest course, and even now
I am far from certain that my decision is best. I do
not want to go back on my foioier friends, and on
account of Madeleine I cannot go back on you. There-
fore I cannot warn the others of theii danger, but on
the other hand I won't give your life into their hands.
For if they knew what I know now, you and Hilliard
would be dead men inside tweniy-four hours."

Mr. Cobum spoke simply and with a certain dignity,
and Merriman found himself disposed not only to
believe what he had heard, but even to understand
and sympathise with the man in the embarrassing
circumstances in which he found himself. That his
difficulties were of his own making there could be but
little doubt, but how far he had put himself in the
power of Ills associates through deliberate evil doing,
and ho\v far through mistakes or weakness, there was
of course no way of learning.

At the end of an hour's discussion, Mr. Cobum had
agreed at all costs to sever his connection with the
syndicate, to emigrate to his brother in Chile, and to
do his utmost to induce his daughter to remain in
England and to marry Merriman. On his side, Merriman
undertook to hold back the lodging of information at
Scotland Yard for one more week, to enable the other's
arrangements to be carried out.

Theie being nothing to keep him in Bordeaux,
Merriman left for London that day, and the next
evening he was closeted with Hilliard in the latter's
rooms, discussing the affair. Hilliard at first was most
unwilling to postpone their visit to the Yard, but he
agreed on Merriman's explaining that he had pledged
himself to the delay.

So the days, for Merriman heavily weighted with
anxiety and suspense, began slowly to drag by. His
fate and the fate of the girl he loved hung in the balance.

i66 ^ PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

and not the least irksome feature of Ms position was
Ms own otter impotence. There was nothing that he
could do— no action wMch would take him out of
himself and ease the tension of Ms thoughts. As day
succeeded day and the silence remained unbroken, he
became more and more upset. At the end of a week
he was almost beside himself with worry and chagrin,
so much so that he gave up attending Ms office altogether,
and was only restrained from rushing back to Bordeaux
by the knowledge that to force Mmself once more
on Madeleine might be to destroy, once and for ever,
any hopes he might otherwise have had.

It was now four days since the Thursday on wMch
Mr. Cobum had stated that the meeting of the syndicate
was to have been held, and only three days to the
date on wMch the friends had agreed to tell their story
at Scotland Yard. What if he received no news during
those three days ? Would Hilliard agree to a further
postponement? He feared not, and he was racked
with anxiety as to whether he should cross that day
to France and seek another interview with Mr. Cobum.

But, even as he sat with the morning paper in Ms
hand, news was nearer than he imagined. Listlessly
he turned over the sheets, glancing with but scant
attention to the headlines, automatically mnning Ms
eyes over the paragraphs. And when he cr.me to one
headed " Mystery of a Taxi-cab," he absent-mindedly
began to read it also.

But he had not gone very far when Ms manner
changed. Starting to his feet, he stared at the column
with horror-stricken eyes, wMle Ms face grew pallid
and Ms pipe dropped to the floor from Ms open mouth.
With the newspaper stiU tightly grasped in Ms hand,
he ran three steps at a time down the stairs of Ms flat,
and calling a taxi, was driven to Scotland Yard.

PART II

THE PROFESSIONALS

CHAPTER XTI

M^TRDi-R !

Almost exactly fifteen hours before Merriman's call
at Scotland Yard, to wit, about eight o'clock on the
previous evening, Inspector WiUis of the Criminal
Investigation Department was smoking in the sitting-
room of his tiny house in Brixton. George Willis was
a tall, somewhat burly man of five-and-forty, with
heavy, clean shaven, expressionless features which
would have made his face almost stupid, had it not
been redeemed by a pair of the keenest of blue eyes.
He was what is commonly known as a safe man, not
exactl} brilliant, but plodding and tenacious to an
extraordinarv degree. His forte was slight clues, and
he possessed that infinite capacity for taking pains
which made liis following up of them approximate to
genius. In short, though a trifle slow, he was already
looked on as one of the most efficient and reliable
inspectors of the Yard.

He had had a heavy day, and it was with a sigh of
relief that he picked up the evening paper and stretched
himself luxuriously in his easy-chair. But he was
not destined to enjoy a long rest. Hardly had he settled
himself to his satisfaction when the telephone bell rang.
He was wanted back at the Yard immediately.

He swore under his breath, then, calling the news to
his wife, he slipped on his waterproof and left the
house. The long spell of fine weather had at last
broken and the evening was unpleasant, indeed un-
usually inclement for mid-September. All day the
wind had been gusty and boisterous, and now a fine
drizzle of rain had set in, which was driven in sheets

P.P.S. X69 M

i 70 tHE PiT-PROt SYNDICATE

against the grimy buildings and whirled in eddies round
the street comers. Willis walked quickly along the
shining pavements, and in a few minutes reached his
destination. His chief was waiting for him.

Ah, Willis," the great man greeted him, " I'm glad
you weren't out. A case has been reported which I
want you to take over; a suspected murder; man
found dead in a taxi at King's Cross."

"Yes, sir," Willis answered unemotionally. "Any
details forward ? "

" None, except that the man is dead and that they’re
holding the taxi at the station. I have asked Dr.
Horton to come round, and you had both better get
over there as quickly as possible."

" Yes, sir," Willis repUed again, and quietly left
the room.

His preparations were simple. He had only to
arrange for a couple of plain clothes men and a photo-
grapher with a flashlight apparatus to accompany him,
and to bring from his room a handbag containing his
notebook and a few other necessary articles. He -met
the police doctor in the corridor and, the oth^s being
already in waiting, the five men immediately Rjft the
great building and took a taxi to the station.

" What's the case, inspector, do you know ? " Dr.
Horton inquired as they slipped deftly tluough the
traflic.

" The Chief said suspected murder ; man found dead
in a taxi at King's Cross. He had no details."

" How was it done ? ”

" Don't know, sir. Chief didn't say."

After a few brief observations on the inclemency of
the weather, conversation waned between the two
men, and they followed the example of their com-
panions, and sat watching with a depressed air the
rain-swept streets and the hurrying foot passengers
on the wet pavements. All five were annoyed at being
called out, as all were tired and had been looking forward
to an evening of relaxation at their homes.

MURDER! xyi

They made a quick nuii reaching the station in a
very few minutes. There a constable identified the
inspector.

"They've taken the taxi round to the carriers'
yard at the west side of the station, sir," he said to
Willis. " If youh follow me. 1 11 show the way."

The ofi&cer led them to an enclosed and partially
roofed area at the back of the parcels office, , where the
vans from the shops unloaded their traffic. In a comer
under the roof and surrounded by a little knot of men
stood a taxi-cab. As Willis and his companions
approached, a sergeant of police separated himself
from the others and came forward,

"We have touched nothing, sir," he announced.
" When we found the man was dead we didn't even
move Uie body."

Willis nodded.

" Quite right, sergeant. It's murder, I suppose ? "

" Looks like it, sir. The man was shot."

" Suot ? Anything known of the murderer ? "

" Not m^Kh, I'm afraid, sir. He got clear away in
Tottenham Court Road, as far as I can understand it.
But you'll hear what &e driver has to say."

Again the inspector nodded, as he stepped up to the
vehicle.

" Here's Dr. Newman," the sergeant continued,
indicating an exceedingly dapper and well groomed
little man with medico written all over him. " He was
the nearest medical man we could get."

Willis turned courteously to the other.

" An impleasant evening to be called out, doctor,"
he remarked. " The man's dead, I understand ? Was
he dead when you arrived ? "

" Yes, but only a very little time. The body was
quite warm."

" And the cause of death ? "

" Seeing that I could do nothing, I did not move the
body until you Scotland Yard gentlemen had seen it,
and therefore I cannot say professionally. But there is

tyi tHE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

a small hole in the side of the coat over the heart/*
The doctor spoke with a slightly consequential air.

“ A bullet wound ? "

'' A bullet wound unquestionably."

Inspector Willis picked up an acetylene bicycle lamp
which one of the men had procured and directed its
beam into the cab.

The corpse lay in the back comer seat on the driver's
side, the head lolling back sideways against the cushions
and crushing into a shapeless mass the gray Homburg
hat. The mouth and eyes were open and the features
twisted as if from sudden pain. The face was long and
oval, the hair and eyes dark, and there was a tiny
black moustache with waxed ends. A khaki coloured
waterproof, open in front, revealed a gray tweed suit,
across the waistcoat of which shone a gold watch
chain. Tan shoes covered the feet. On the left side
of the body just over the heart was a little round hole
in the waterproof coat. Willis stooped and smelt the
cloth.

** No blackening and no smell of burnt powder,"
he thought. " He must have been shot from^routside
the cab." But he found it hard to understand how
such a shot could have been fired from the populous
streets of London. The hole also seemed too far round
towards the back of the body to suggest that the bullet
had come in through the open window. The point was
puzzling, but Willis pulled himself up sharply with
the reminder that he must not begin theorising until
he had learnt all the facts.

Having gazed at the gruesome sight until he had
impressed its every detail on his memorj^ he turned to
his assistant. " Get aliead with your flashlight, Kirby,"
he ordered. " Take views from all the angles you can.
The constable will give you a hand. Meantime, sergeant,
give me an idea of the case. What does the driver
say ? "

He's here, sir," the officer returned, pointing to
a small, slight individual in a leather coat and cap,

MURDER I

173

with a sallow, frightened face and pathetic, dog-like
eyes which fixed themselves questioningly on Willis's
face as the sergeant led their owner forward.

" You might tell me what you know, driver."

The man shifted nervously from one foot to the
other.

" It was this way, sir," he began. He spoke earnestly,
aixd to Willis, who was a*'.cuslomed to sizing up rapidly
those with whom he dealt, he seemed a sincere and
hone:t man. " I was driving do^\n Piccadilly from
Hyde Park Comer looking out for a fare, and when I
gets just by the end of Bond Street two men hails me.
One was this here man what's dead, the other was a big,
tall gent. I pulls in to the kerb, and they gets in, and
the tall gent he says 'King's Cross.' I starts off by
Piccadilly Circus and Shaftesbury Avenue, but when
I gets into Tottenham Court Road about the comer of
Great Russell Street, one of them says through the
tube, ' Let me down here at the comer of Great Russell
Street; he sez. I pulls over to the kerb, and the tall
gent he gets out and stands on the kerb and speaks in
to the other one. 'Then I shall follow by the three
o'clock to-morrow,' he sez, and he shuts the door and
gives me a bob and sez, 'That's for yourself,' he sez,
'and my friend will square up at the station,' he sez.

I came on here, and when this here man opens the door,"
he indicated a porter standing by, " why, the man's
dead. And that's al^ I knows about it."

The statement was made directly and convincingly,
and Willis frowned as he thought that such apparently
simple cases proved frequently to be the most baffling
ill the end. In his slow, careful way he went over in
his mind what he had heard, and then began to try
for further details.

" At what time did you pick up the men ? " he
inquired.

" About half-past seven or maybe twenty to
eight."

" Did you see where they were coming from ? "

jfi THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

■ ^No, sir. They were standing on the kerb, and
the tall one he holds up his hand for me to pull
over/'

“ Would you know the tall man again ? ”

The driver shook his head.

"I don't know as I should, sir. You see, it was
raining, and he had his collar up round his neck and
his hat pulled down over his eyes, so as I couldn’t right
see his face."

" Describe him as best you can.”

"He was a tall man, longer than what you are,
and broad too. A big man, I should call him.”

“ How was he dressed ? ”

" He had a waterproof, khaki colour — about the
colour of your own — ^with the collar up round his
neck.”

“ His hat ? ”

“ His hat was a soft felt, dark, either brown or
green, I couldn't right say, with the brim turned down
in front.”

" And his face ? Man alive, you must have se^ his
face when he gave you the shilling.”

The driver stared helplessly. Then he answered : —

" I couldn't be sure about his face, not with the way
he had his collar up and his hat pulled down. It was
raining and blowing something crool.”

“ Did the other man reply when the tall one spoke
into the cab ? ”

“ Didn’t hear no reply at all, sir.”

Inspector Willis thought for a moment and then
started on another tack.

“ Did you hear a shot ? ” he asked sharply.

" I heard it, sir, right enough, but I didn't think it
was a shot at the time, and 1 didn’t think it was in
my cab. It was just when we were passing the Apollo
Theatre, and tlicre was a big block of cars setting
people down, and I thought it was a burst tyre. ‘ There’s
somebody’s tyre gone to glory,’ I sez to myself, but I
give it no more thought, for it takes you to be awake

MURDER! m

f' '' ’

to drive up Shaftesbury Avenue when the theabnes

arj starting."

" You said you didn't think the shot was ill your
cab ; why do 5 ou think so now ? "

" It was the only sound like a shot, sir,^ and if the
man has been shot, it would have been tlifen."

Willis nodded shortly. There was something puzzling
here. If the shot had boen iired by the other occupant
of the cab, as the man s evidence seemed to indicate,
there would certainl3’ have b'^en powder blackening
on the coat. If not, and if the bullet had entered
from without, the other passenger would st.rely have
stopped the car and called a policeman. Presently
he saw that some corroborative evidence might exist.
If the bullet came from without the left-hand window
must have been down, as there was no hole in the
glass. In this case the wind, which was blowing from
the north-west, would infallibly have driven in the
rain, and drops would still show on the cushions. He
must lOok for them without delay.

He paused to ask the driver one more question,
whether he could identify the voice which told him
through the speaking tube to stop with that of the
man who had given him the shilling. The man answering
afiinnatively, Willis turned to one of the plain clothes
men.

“ You have heard this driver's statement, Jones,"
he said. “ You might get away at once and see the
men who were on point duty both at the comer of
Great Russell Street where the tall man got out, and
in Piccadilly where both got in. Try the hotels there-
abouts, the Albemarle and any others you can think
of. If you can get any information follow it up
and keep me advised at the Yard of your move-
ments."

The man hurried away and Willis moved over once
more to the taxi. The assistant had by this time
fimshed his flashlight photographs, and the inspector,
picking up the bicycle lamp, looked again into the

176 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

interior. A moment*s examination showed him there
were no raindrops on the cushions, but his search
nevertheless was not unproductive. Looking more
carefuUy this time than previously, he noticed on the
floor of the cab a dark object almost hidden beneath
the seat. He drew it out. It was a piece of thick
black cloth about a yard square.

Considerably mystified he held it up by two comers,
and then his puzzle became solved. In the cloth were
two small holes, and round one of them the fabric
was charred and bore the characteristic smell of burnt
powder. It was clear what had been done. With the
object doubtless of hiding the flash as well as of mufiling
the report, the murderer had covered his weapon with
a double thickness of heavy cloth. No doubt it had
admirably achieved its purpose, and Willis seized it
eagerly in the hope that it might furnish him with a
clue as to its owner.

He folded it and set it aside for further examination,
turning back to the body. Under his direction it was
lifted out, placed on an ambulance stretcher provided
by the railwaymen, and taken to a disused office close
by. There the clothes were removed and, while the
doctors busied themselves with the remains, Willis
went through the pockets and arranged their contents
on one of the desks.

The clothes themselves revealed but little information.
The waterproof and shoes, it is true, bore the makers'
labels, but both these articles were the ready-made
products of large firms, and mquii^^ at their premises,
would be unlikely to lead to any result. None of the
gamients bore any name or identifiable mark.

Willis then occupied himself with the contents of the
pockets. Besides the gold watch and chedn, bunch of
keys, knife, cigarette case, loose coins and other small
objects which a niOn such as the deceased might reason-
ably be expected to carry, there were two to which the
inspector turned with some hope of help.

The first was a folded sheet of paper which proved

MURDER! 177

to be a receipted hotel bill. It showed that a Mr.
Cobum and another had stayed in the Peveril Hotel
in Russell Square during the previous four days. When
Willis saw it he gave a grunt of satisfaction. It would
doubtless offer a ready means to learn the identity of
the deceased, as well possibly as of that other, in whom
Willis was already even more interested. Moreover,
so good a clue must be woiked without delay. He
called over the second plain clothes man.

T?ike this bill to the Peveril, Matthews,'' he ordered.

Find out if the dead man is this Coburn, and if possible
get on the track of his companion. If I don't get
anything better here I shall follow you round, but keep
the Yard advised of your movements in any case."

Before the man left, Willis examined the second
object. It was a pocket-book, but it proved rather
disappointing. It contained two five pound Bank of
England notes, nine one pound and three ten shilling
Treasury notes, the return half of a third-class railway
ticket from Hull to ‘King's Cross, a Great Northern
cloakroom ticket, a few visiting cards inscribed " Mr.
Francis Cobum," and lastly, the photograph by Cramer
of Regent Street of a pretty girl of about twenty.

Willis mentally noted the three possible clues these
articles seemed to suggest ; inquiries in Hull, the
discovery of the girl through Messrs. Cramer, and third
and most important, luggage or a parcel in some Great
Northern cloakroom, which on recovery might afford
him help. The presence of the money also seemed
important, as this showed that the motive for the murder
had not been robbery.

Having made a parcel of the clothes for transport
to the Yard, reduced to writing the statements of the
driver and of the porter who had made the discovery,
and arranged with the doctors as to the disposal of the
body, Willis closed and locked the taxi, and sent it in
charge of a constable to Scotland Yard. Then with
the doakroom ticket he went round to see if he could
find the office which had issued it.

178 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

The rooms were all shut for the night, but an ofl&cial
from the stationmaster’s ofi&ce went round with him, and
after a brief search they found the article for which the
ticket was a voucher. It was a small suitcase, locked,
and Willis brought it away with him, intending to
open it at his leisure.

His work at the station being by this time complete,
he returned to the Yard, carrying the suitcase. There,
though it was growing late, he forced the lock, and
sat down to examine the contents. But from them
he received no help. The bag contained just the articles
which a man in middle-dass circumstances would
naturally carry on a week or a fortnight's trip— a suit
of clothes, clean linen, toilet appliances, and such like.
Nowhere could Willis find anything of interest.

Telephone messages, meanwhile, had come in from
the two plain clothes men. Jones reported that he
had interviewed all the constables who had been on
point duty at the places in question, but without
result. Nor could any of the staffs of the neighbouring
hotels or restaurants assist him.

The call from the Peveril conveyed slightly more
information. The manageress, so Matthews said, had
been most courteous and had sent for several members
of her staff in the hope that some of them might be able
to answer his questions. But the sum total of the
knowledge he had gained was not great. In the first
place, it was evident that the deceased was Mr. Cobum
himself. It appeared that he was accompanied by
a Miss Cobum, whom the manageress believed to be
his daughter. He had been heard addressing her as
Madeleine. The two had arrived in time for dinner
five days previously, registering “ F. Cobum and Miss
Cobum," and had left about eleven on the morning
of the murder. On each of the four days of their stay
they had been out a good deal, but they had left and
returned at different hours, and therefore appeared
not to have spent their time together. They seemed,
however, on very affectionate terms. No address had

MURDER I 179

been left to which letters might be forwarded, and it
was not known where the two visitors had intended to
go when they left. Neither the manageress nor any
of the staff had s^en any one resembling the tall man.

Inspector Willis was considerably disappointed by
the news. He had hoped that Mr. Cobum's fellow-
guest would have been the murderer, and that he would
havo left some trace from which his identity could
have been ascertained. However, the daughter's
infonnc'.tion would no doubt be valuable, and his next
care must be to find her and leam her story.

She might of course save him the trouble by herself
coming forward. She would be almost certain to see
an account of the murder in the papers, and even if
not, her father's disappearance would inevitably lead
her to communicate with the police.

But WiUis could not depend on this. She might,
for example, have left the previous day on a voyage,
and a considerable time might elapse before she learned
of the ticigedy. No ; he would have to trace her as if
she herself wf^re the assassin.

He looked at his watch and was surprised to learn
that it was after one o'clock. Nothing more could be
done that night, and with a sigh of relief he turned
his stq;s homewards.

Next morning he was back at the Yard by eight
o'clock. His first care was to re-examine the taxi by
daylight for some niai’k or article left by its recent
occupants. He was extraordinarily thorough and
painstaking, scrutinising every inch of the floor and
cushions, and tr5dng the door handles and window
straps for finger marks, but without success. He then
went over once again the clothes the dead man was
wearing as well as those in the suitcase, took prints
from the dead man's fingers, and began to get things
in order for the inquest. Next he saw Dr. Horton,
and learned that Mr. Cobum had been killed by a
bullet from an exceedingly small automatic pistol,
one evidently selected to make the minimum of noise

i8o THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

and flash, and from which a long carry was not
required.

When the details were complete he thought it would
not be too early to call at the Peveril and begin the
search for Miss Cobum. He therefore sent for a taxi,
and a few minutes later was seated in the office of the
manageress. She repeated what Matthews had already
told him, and he personally interviewed the various
servants with whom the Cobums had come in contact.
He also searched the rooms they had occupied, examined
with a mirror the blotting paper on a table at which
the young lady had been seen to write, and interrogated
an elderly lady visitor with whom she had made
acquaintance.

But he learnt nothing. The girl had vanished com-
pletely, and he could see no way in which he might
be able to trace her.

He sat down in the lounge and gave himself up to
thought. And then suddenly an idea flashed into
his mind. He started, sat for a moment rigid, then
gave a little gasp. . ‘

Lord ! he muttered. " But Pm a blamed idiot.
How in Hades did I miss that ? **

He sprang to his feet and hurried out of the lounge.

CHAPTER Xlil

A PROMISING CLUE

The consideration which had thus suddenly occurred
to Inspector Willis was the extraordinary importance
of the fact that the tall traveller had spoken through
the tube to the driver. He marvelled how he could
have overlooked its significance. To speak through
a taxi tube one must hold up the mouthpiece, and
that mouthpiece is usually made of vulcanite or some
similar substance. What better surface, Willis thought
delightedly but anxiously, could be found for recording
finger-prints ? If only the tall man had made the blunder
of omil L'ng to wear gloves, he would have left evidence
which might hang him 1 And he, Willis, like the
cursed imbecne that he was, had missed the point !
Goodness only knew if he was not already too late.
If so, he thought grimly, it was all u.p. with his career
at the Yard.

He ran to the telephone. A call to the Yard advised
him that the taxi driver, on being informed he was
no longer required, had left with his vehicle. He
rapidly rang up the man's employers, asking them to
stop the cab directly they came in touch with it, then
hunying out of the hotel, he hailed a taxi and drove
to the rank on which the man was stationed.

His luck was in. There were seven vehicles on the
stand, and his man, having but recently arrived, had
only worked up to the midcSe of the queue. The sweat
was standing in large drops on Inspector Willis's brow
as he eagerly asked had the tube been touched since
leaving Scotland Yard, and his relief when he found
he was still in time was overwhelming. Rather

x8i

i 82 the pit-prop syndicate

unsteadily he entered the vehicle and ordered the
driver to return to the Yard.

On arrival he was not long in making his test. Sending
for his finger-print apparatus, he carefully powdered
the vulcanite mouthpiece, and he could scarcely sup-
press a cry of satisfaction when he saw shaping them-
selves before his eyes three of the clearest prints he
had ever had the good fortune to come across. On
one side of the mouthpiece was the mark of a right
thumb, and on the other those of a first and second
finger.

** Lord I ** he muttered to himself, '' that was a neai’
thing. If I had missed it, I could have left the Yaid
for good and all. It’s the first thing the Chief would
have asked about.”

His delight was unbounded. Here was as perfect
and definite evidence as he could have wished for. If
he could find the man whose fingers fitted the marks,
that would be the end of his case.

He left the courtyard intending to return to the
Peveril and resume the tracing of Miss Coburn, but
before he reached the door of the great Building he
was stopped. A gentleman had called to see him on
urgent business connected with the case.

It was Merriman — Merriman almost incoherent with
excitement and distress. He still carried the newspaper
in his hand, and with trembling fingei pointed to the
paragraph which had so much upt:et him. Willis
pulled forward a chair, invited the other to be seated,
and took the paper. The paragraph was quite short,
and read : —

Mystery of a Taxi-Cab

” A tragedy which recalls the well-known detective
novel The Mystery of a Hansom Cab occurred last
evening in one of the most populous thoroughfares in
London. It appears that about eight o'clock two men
engaged a taxi in Piccadilly to take them to King's

A PROMISING OLVB> ^

Cross.- Near the Oxford Street of TottoBh*®
Court Road the driver was ordered to stop. Om
Uie men alighteU. bid good-night to ^ compaidon,
and told die driver to proceed to King s Cross, where
his friend would settle up. On reaching the station
there was no sign of the friend, and a search revealed
him lying dead in the taxi with a bullet wound in his
heart. From papers foimd on the body the deceased
is believed to be a Mr. Francis Gobum, but his residence
has not yet been ascertained.*'

Inspector Willis laid down the paper and turned to
his visitor.

“ You are interested in the case, sir ? " he inquired.

“ I knew him, I think," Merriman stammered. " At
least I know some one of the name. I "

Willis glanced keenly at the newcomer. Here was
a man who must, judging by his agitation, have been
pretty closely connected with Francis Cobum, Suspicious
of eveiy one, the detective recognised that there might
be more her^ than met the eye. He drew out his note-
book.

"I am glad you called, sir," he said pleasantly.
" We shall be very pleased to get any information you
can give us. What was your friend like ? "

His quiet, conversational manner calmed the other.

" Rather tall," he answered anxiously, " with a long,
pale face, and small, black, pointed moustache."

" I'm afraid, sir, that's the man. I think if you
don't mind you had better see if you can identify him."

" I want to," Merriman cried, leaping to his feet.
" I must know at once."

Willis rose also.

" Then come this way."

They drove quickly across town. A glance was
suf&dent to tell Merriman that the body was indeed
that of his former acquaintance. His agitation became
painful.

“ My God ! " he cried. “ It is he I And it's my

i 84 the pit-prop SYNDICATE

fault 1 Oh, if I had only done what she said I If I
had only kept out of it I "

He wrung his hands in his anguish.

Willis was much interested. Though this man could
not be personally guilty — ^he was not tall enough, for
one thing — ^he must surely know enough about the
affair to put the inspector on the right track. The
latter began eagerly to await his story.

Merriman, for his part, was anxious for nothing so
much as to tell it. He Wcis sick to death of plots and
investigations and machinations, and while driving
to the Yard he had made up his mind that if the dead
man were indeed Madeleine's father, he would tell the
whole story of his and Hilliard's investigations into
the doings of the syndicate. When therefore they
were back in the inspector's room, he made a determined
effort to pull himself together and speak calmly.

“ Yes," he said, " I know him. He lived near Bor-
deaux with his daughter. She will be absolutely alone.
You will understand that I must go out to her by the
first train, but until then I am at your service." •

" You are a relation perhaps ? "

"No, only an acquaintance, but — I'm going" to tell
you the whole story, and I may as well say, once for
all, that it is my earnest hope some day to marry Miss
Cobum."

Willis bowed and inquired, " Is Miss CA^bum's name
Madeleine ? "

" Yes," Merriman answered, surprise and eagerness
growing in his face.

" Then," Willis went on, " you will be pleased to
learn that she is not in France — at least, I think not.
She left the Peveril Hotel in Russell Square about
eleven o'clock yesterday morning."

Merriman sprang to his feet.

" In London ? " he queried excitedly. " Where ?
What address ? "

" We don't know yet, but we shall soon find her.
Now, sir, you can't do anything for the moment, and I

A PROMISING CLUE 185

am anxious to hear your story. Take your own time,
and the more details you can give rne the better."

Merriman controlled himself with an effort.

“Well," he Scid slowly, sitting down again, "I
have something to tell you, inspector. My friend Hilliard
--Claud Hilliard of the Customs Department — and I
have made a discovery. We have accidentally come on
what we believe is a ciiminal conspiracy, we don't
know for what purpose, except that it is something big
and fiaudulent. We vere comirg to the Yard in any
case to tell what we had learnt, but this murder has
precipitated things. We can no longer delay giving
our information. The only thing is that I should have
liked Hilliard to be here to tell it instead of me, for
our discoverv is really due to him."

" I can see Mr. Hilliard afterwards. Meantime tell
me the story yourself."

Merriman thereupon related his and Hilliard's
adventures and experiences from his own first accidental
visit to the clearing when he noticed the changing of
the lony nr^iber, right up to his last meeting with
Mr. Cobum, when the latter expressed his intention
of breaking away from the gang. He hid nothing,
explaining without hesitation his reasons for urging the
dela.y in informing the authorities, even though he quite
reahsed his action made him to some extent an accom-
plice in the conspirac}".

Willis was much m^re impressed by the story than
he would have admitted. Though it sounded wild and
unlikely, there was a ring of tmth in Merriman 's manner
which went far to convince the other of its accuracy.
He did not believe, either, that any one could have
invented such a story. Its very improbability was an
argument for its tmth.

And if it were true, what a vista it opened up to
himself ! The solution of the murder problem would be
gratifying enough, but it was a mere nothing compared
to the other. If he could search out and bring to naught
such a conspiracy as Merriman's story indicated,
P P.s. N

m

THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

he would be a made man. It would be the crowning
point of his career, and would bring him measurably
nearer to that cottage and garden in the country to
which for years past he had been looking forward.
Therefore no care and no trouble would be too great
to spend on the matter.

Putting away thoughts of self, therefore, and de-
liberately concentrating on the matter in hand, he set
himself to consider in detail what his visitor had told
him and get the story clear in his mind. Then slowly
and painstakingly he began to ask questions.

“I take it, Mr, Merriman, that your idea is that
Mr. Coburn was murdered by a member of the
syndicate ?

'' Yes, and I think he foresaw his fate. I think when
he told them he was going to break with them they
feared he might betray them, and wanted to be on
the safe side.'*

“ Any of them a tall, stoutly built man ?

Captain Beamish is tall and strongly built, but I
should not say he was stout."

" Describe him."

" He stooped and was a little round shouldered,
and even then he was tall. If he had held himself
up he would have been a big man. He had a heavy
face with a big jaw, thin lips, and a vindictive
expression."

Willis, though not given to jumping to conclusions,
felt suddenly a little thrilled, and he made up his mind
that an early development in the case would be th<^.
taking of the impressions of Captain Beamish's right
thumb and forefinger.

He asked several more questions and, going over the
story again, took copious notes. Then for some time
he sat in silence considering what he had heard.

At first sight he was inclined to agree with Merriman,
that the deceased had met his death at the hands of
a member of the syndicate, and if so, it was not unlikely
that all or most of the members were party to it. From

A PROMISING CLUE 187

the mere posability of this it followed that the most
urgent thing for the moment was to prevent the syndi-
cate suspecting his knowledge. He turned again to
his visitor.

"I suppose you realise, Mr Merriman, that if all
these details you have given me aie correct, you yourself
are in a position of some danger ? "

'' I know it, but I am not afraid. It is the possible
clanger to Miss Coburn that has upset me so much."

I understand, sir," the inspector returned sym-
])athetically, " but it follows that for both your sakes
you must act very cautiously, so as to disarm any
suspicions these people may have of you."

" I am quite in your hands, inspector."

" Good. Then let us consider your course of action.
Now, first of all about the inquest. It will be held
this evening at five o'clock. You will have to give
evidence, and we shall have to settle very carefully
what that evidence will be. No breath of suspicion
against the syndicate must leak out."

Merriman nodded.

"You must identify the deceased, and, if asked, you
must tell the story of your two visits to the clearing.
You must speak without the slightest hesitation. But
you must of course make no mention of the changing of
the lorry numbers nor of your suspicions, nor will you
mention your visit to Hull. You will explain that you
went back to the clearing on the second occasion because
it was so little out of your way and because you were
anxious to meet the Cobums again, while your friend
wanted to see the forests of Les Landes."

Merriman again nodded.

“ Then both you and your friend must avoid Scotland
Yard. It was quite natural that you should msh off
here as you did, but it would not be natural for you to
return. And there is no reason why Mr. Hilliard
should come at all. If I want to see either of you I
shall ring up and arrange a place of meeting. And just
two other things. The first is that I need hardly warn

i88 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

you to be as circumspect in your conversation as in
your evidence. Keep in mind that each stranger that
you may meet may be Morton or some other member
of the gang. The second is that I should like to keep
in toudx with you for the remainder of the day in case
any question might crop up before the inquest. Where
will you be ?

“ I shall stay in my club, the Rover's, in Cranbourne
Street. You can ring me up."

" Good," Willis answered, rising to his feet. " Then
let me say again how pleased I am to have met you
and heard your story. Five o'clock, then, if you don't
hear to the contrary."

When Merriman had taken his leave the inspector
sat on at his desk, lost in thought. This case bade fair
to be the biggest he had ever handled, and he was
anxious to lay his plans so as to employ his time to
the best advantage. Two clearly defined lines of inquiry
had already opened out, and he was not clear which
to follow. In the first place, there was the obvious
routine investigation suggested directly by the murder.
That comprised the finding of Miss Cobum, this learning
of Mr. Cobum's life history, the tracing of his move-
ments during the last four or five days, the finding of
the purchaser of the black cloth, and the following up
of clues discovered during these inquiries. The second
line was that connected with the activities of the
syndicate, and Willis was inclined to believe that a
complete understanding of these would automatically
solve the problem of the murder. He was wondering
whether he should not start an assistant on the routine
business of the tragedy, whilst himself concentrating
on the pit-prop business, when his cogitations were
brought to an end by a messenger. A lady had called
in connection with the case.

" Miss Madeleine Cobum," thought Willis, as he
gave orders for her to be shown to his room, and when
she entered he instantly recognised the original of the
photograph.

A PROMISING CLUE 189

Madeleine's face was dead white and there was a
strained look of honor.in her eyes, but she was perfectly
calm and self-possessed.

Miss Cobum ? " Willis said, as he rose and bowed.
“ I am afraid I can guess why you have called. You
saw the account in the paper ? "

“ Yes." She hesitated. " Is it — niy father ? "

Willis told her as gently as he could. She sat quite
still for a few moments, while he busied himself with
some papers, then she asked to see the body. Wlien
they had returned to Willis's room he invited her to
sit down again.

" I very deeply regret. Miss Cobum," he said, " to
have to trouble you at this time with questions, but I
fear you will have to give evidence at the inquest this
afternoon, and it will be easier for yourself to make a
statement now, so that only what is absolutely necessary
need be asked you then."

Madeleine seemed stunned by the tragedy, and she
spoke as if in a dream.

" I am re .dy to do what is necessary."

He thanked her, and began by inquiring about hei
father's history. Mr. Coburn, it appeared, had had a
public school and college training, but, his father dying
when he was just twenty, and leaving the family in
somewhat poor circumstances, he had gone into business
as a clerk in the Hopwood Manufacturing Company, a
large engineering works in the Midlands. In this he
had risen until he held the important position of cashier,
and he and his wife and daughter had lived in happiness
and comfort during the latter's girlhood. But some
six years previous to the tragedy which had just taken
place a change had come over the household. In the
first place, Mrs. Cobum had developed a painful illness
and had dragged out a miserable existence for the
three years before her death. At the same time,
whether from the expense of the illness or from other
causes Miss Cobum did not know, financial embarrass-
ment seemed to descend on her father. One by one

THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

igo

their small luxuries were cut off, then their house had
to be given up, and they had moved to rooms in a
rather poor locality of the town. Their crowning
misfortune followed rapidly. Mr. Cobum gave up his
position at the works, and for a time actual want stared
them in the face. Then this Pit-Prop Syndicate had
been formed, and Mr. Cobum had gone into it as the
manager of the loading station. Miss Cobum did not
know the reason of his leaving the engineering works,
but she suspected there had been friction, as his dis-
position for a time had changed, and he had lost his
bright manner and vivacity. He had, however, to a
large extent recovered while in France. She was not
aware, either, of the terms on which he had entered the
syndicate, but she imagined he shared in the profits
instead of receiving a salary.

These facts, which Willis obtained by astute question-
ing, seemed to him not a little suggestive. From what
Mr. Cobum had himself told Merriman, it looked as if
there had been some secret in his life which had placed
him in the power of the syndicate, and the inspector
wondered whether this might not be connected with
his leaving the engineering works. At all .events
inquiries there seemed to suggest a new line of attack,
should such become necessary,

Willis then turned to the events of the past few days.
It appeared that about a fortnight eaiiiei, Mr. Coburn
announced that he was crossing to London for the
annual meeting of the syndicate, and, as he did not
wish his daughter to be alone at the clearing, it was
arranged that she should accompany him. They
travelled by th? Girondin to Hull, and coming on to
London, put up at the Peveril. Mr. Coburn had been
occupied off and on during the four days they had
remained there, but the evenings they had spent
together in amusements. On the night of the murder,
Mr. Cobum was to have left for Hull to return to France
by the Girondin, his daughter going by an earlier train
to Eastbourne, where she was to have spent ten days

A PROMISING CLUE 191

with an aunt. Except for what Mr. Cobum had said
about the meeting of the syndicate, Madeleine did not
know anything of his business in town, nor had she
seen any member of the syndicate after leaving the
ship.

Having taken notes of her "statements, Willis spoke
of the inquest and repeated the instructions he had
given Merriman as to thu evidence. Then he told her
of the young man's visit, and referring to his anxiety
on her behalf, asked if he might acquaint him of her
whereabouts. She thankfully acquiesced, and Willis,
wL'O was anxious that her mind should be kept
occupied until the inquest, pushed his good offices
to the extent of arranging a meeting between the
two.

The inquest elicited no further information. Formal
evidence of identification was given, the doctors deposed
that death was due to a bullet from an exceedingly
small bore automatic pistol, the cab driver and porter
told their stories, and the jury returned the obvious
\crdict of order against some person or persons
unknown. The inspector's precautions were observed,
and not a word was uttered which could have given a
hint to any member of the Pit-Prop Syndicate that the
hona fides of his organisation was suspected.

Two days later, when the funeral was over, Merriman
took Miss Cobum back to her aunt's at Eastbourne.
No word of love passed his lips, but the young girl
seemed pleased to have his company, and before parting
from her he obtained permission to call on her again.
He met the aunt for a few moments, and was somewhat
comforted to find her a kind, motherly woman, who was
evidently sincerely attached to the now fatherless girl.
He had told Madeleine of his interview with her father,
and she had not blamed him for his part in the matter,
saying that she had believed for some time that a
development of the kind was inevitable.

So, for them, the days began to creep wearily past.
Merriman paid as frequent visits to Eastbourne as he

192 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

dared, and little by little he began to hope that he was
making progress in his suit. But try as he would, he
could not bring the matter to a head. The girl had
evidently had a more severe shock than they had
realised at first, and she became listless and difficult
to interest in passing events. He saw there was nothing
for it but to wait, and he set himself to bide his time
with the best patience he could muster.

CHAPTER XfV

A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY

Inspector Willis was more than interested m his
new case. The more he thought over it, the more he
realised its dramatic possibilities and the almost world-
wide public interest it was likely to arouse, as well as
the importance which his superiors would certainly
attach to it ; in other words, the influence a successful
handling of it would have on his career.

He had not been idle since the day of the inquest,
now a week past. To begin with he had seen Hilliard
secretly, and learned at first hand all that that young
man could tell him. Next he had made sure that the
finger-prints found on the speaking tube were not
those of Mr. Coburn, and he remained keenly anxious
to obtain impressions from Captain Beamish's fingers
to compare with the former. But inquiries from the
port officials at Hull, made by wire on the evening of
the inquest, showed that the Girondin would not be
back at Ferriby for eight days. There had been no
object, therefore, in his leaving London immediately,
and instead he had busied himself by trying to follow
up the deceased's movements in the metropolis, and
learn with whom he had associated during his stay.
In his search for clues he had even taken the hint from
Merriman's newspaper and bought a copy of The
Mystery of a Hansom Cab, but though he saw that this
clever story might easily have inspired the crime,
he could find from it no help towards its solution.

He had also paid a flying visit to the manager of
the Hopwood Manufacturing Company in Sheffield,
where Cobum had been employed. From him he had

193

THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

194

leamt that Madeleine's surmise was correct, and that
there had been "friction" before her father left. In
point of fact a surprise audit had revealed discrepancies
in the accounts. Some money was missing, and what
was suspiciously like an attempt to falsify the books
had taken place. But the thing could not be proved.
Mr. Cobum had paid up, but though his plea that he
had made a genuine clerical error had been accepted,
his place had been filled. The manager expressed the
private opinion that there was no doubt of his sub-
ordinate's guilt, saying also that it was well known
that during the previous months Coburn had been
losing money heavily through gambling. Where he
had obtained the money to meet the deficit the manager
did not know, but he believed some one must have
come forward to assist him.

This information interested Willis keenly, supporting,
as it seemed to do, his idea that Coburn was in the
power of the syndicate or one of its members. If, for
example, one of these men, on the lookout for helpers
in his conspiracy, had learned of the cashier's pre-
dicament, it was conceivable that he might have
obtained his hold by advancing the money needed to
square the matter in return for a signed confession of
guilt. This was of course the merest guessv^ork, hut
it at least indicated to Willis a fresh line of inquiry in
case his present investigation failed.

And with the latter he was becoming exceedingly
disappointed. With the exception of the facts just
mentioned, he had learned absolutely nothing to help
him. Mr. Coburn might as well have vanished into
thin air when he left the Peveril Hotel, for all the trace
he had left. Willis could learn neither where he went
nor whom he met on any one of the four days he had
spent in London. He congratulated himself, therefore,
that on the following day the Girondin would be back
at Ferriby, and he would then be able to start work
on the finger-print clue.

That evening he settled himself with his pipe to

A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY 195

think over once more the facts he had already learnt.
As t:me passed he lound himself approaching more and
more to the conclusion reached by Hilliard and Merriman
several weeks befcre — that the secret of the syndicate
was the essential feature of the case. What were these
people doing? That was the question which at all
costs he must answer.

His mind reverted to the two theories already in
the field. At first sight that of brandy smuggling
seemed tenable enough, and he turned his attention
to the steps by wliich the two young men had tried to
lest it. At the loading end their observations were
admittedly worthless, but at Ferriby they seemed to
have made a satisfactory investigation. Unless they
had unknowingly fallen asleep in the barrel, it was hard
to see how they could have failed to observe contraband
being set ashore, had such been imloaded. But he did
not believe they had fallen asleep. People were usually
conscious of awakening. Besides there was the testi-
mony of Menzies, the pilot. It was hardly conceivable
that this man also should have been deceived. At the
same time Willis decided he must interview him, so
as to form his own opinion of the man's reliability.

Another possibility occurred to him which none of
the amateur investigators appeared to have thought
of. North Sea trawlers were frequently used for getting
contraband ashore. Was the Girondin transferring
illicit cargo to such vessels while at sea ?

This was a question Inspector Willis felt he could
not solve. It would be a matter for the Customs
Department. But he knew enough about it to under-
stand that immense difficulties would have to be over-
come before such a scheme could be worked. Firstly,
there was the size of the fraud. Six months ago, accord-
ing to what Miss Coburn overheard, the syndicate
were making £6800 per trip, and probably, from the
remarks then made, they were doing more to-day.
And £6800 meant — the inspector buried himself in
calculations — at least one thousand gallons of brandy.

196 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

Was it conceivable that trawlers could get rid of one
thousand gallons every ten days — one hundred gallons
a day? Frankly he thought it impossible. In fact,
in the face of the Customs officefs activities, he doubted
if such a thing could be done by any kind of machinery
that could be devised. Indeed, the more Willis pon-
dered the smuggling theory, the less likely it seemed
to him, and he turned to consider the possibilities of
Miss Cobum’s suggestion of false note printing.

Here at once he was met by a fact which he had not
mentioned to Merriman. As it happened, the circulation
of spurious Treasury notes was one of the subjects of
interest to Scotland Yard at the moment. Notes were
being forged and circulated, and in large numbers.
Furthermore, the source of supply was believed to be
some of the large towns of the Midlands, Leeds being
particularly suspected. But Leeds ^ was on the direct
line through Ferriby, and comparatively not far away.
Willis felt that it was up to him to explore to the utter-
most limit all the possibilities which these facts opened
up- '

He began by looking at the matter from the con-
spirators’ point of view. Supposing they had overcome
the difficulty of producing the notes, how would they
dispose of them ?

Willis could appreciate the idea ol locating the illicit
press in France. Firstly, it would be obvious to the
gang that the early discovery of a fraud of the kind
was inevitable. Its existence, indeed, would soon
become common property. But this would but slightly
affect its success. It was the finding of the source of
supply that mattered, and the difficulty of this was at
once the embarrassment of the authorities and the
opportunity of the conspirators.

Secondly, English notes were to be forged and circu-
lated in England, therefore it was from the English
police that the source of supply must be hidden. And
how better could this be done than by taking it out of
England altogether ? The English police would look

A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY 197

in England for what they wanted. The attention of
the French police, having no false French notes to
deal with, would not be aroused. It seemed to Willis
that so far he was on firm ground.

The third point was that, granting the first two,
some agency would be required to convey the forged
notes from France to England. But here a difficulty
arose. The pit-prop plan seemed altogether too elaborate
and cumbrous for all that was required. Willis, as
Merriman had done earlier, pictured the passenger
v^ith the padded overcoat and the double-bottomed
handbag. This traveller, it seemed, would meet the
case.

But did he ? Would there not, with him, be a certain
risk ? There woiild be continuous passing through
Customs houses, frequent searchings of the faked suit-
case. Accidents happened. Suppose the traveller held
on to his suitcase too carefully ? Some sharp-eyed
Customs ofiicer might become suspicious. Suppose he
didn't hold on carefully enough and it were lost ?
Yes, there would be risks. Small, doubtless, but still
risks. And the gang couldn't afford them.

As Willis turned the matter over in his mind, he
came gradually to the conclusion that the elaboration
of the pit-prop business was no real argument against
its having been designed merely to carry forged notes.
As a business, moreover, it would pay or almost pay.
It would furnish a secret method of getting the notes
across at little or no cost. And as a blind, Willis felt
that nothing better could be devised.

The scheme visualised itself to him as follows :
Somewhere in France, probably in some cellar in
Bordeaux, was installed the illicit printing-press. There
the notes were produced. By some secret method
they were conveyed to Henri when his lorry driving
took him into the city, and he in turn brought them
to the clearing and handed them over to Cobum.
Captain Beamish and Bulla would then take charge of
them, probably hiding them on the Girondin in some

198 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

place which would defy a surprise Customs examination.
Numbers of such places, Willis felt sure, could be
arranged, especially in the engine room. The cylinders
of a duplicate set of pumps, disused on that particular
trip, occurred to him as an example. After arrival
at Ferriby there would be ample opportunity for the
notes to be taken ashore and handed over to Archer,
and Archer “ could plant stuff on Old Nick himself."

The more he pondered over it, the more tenable this
theory seemed to Inspector Willis. He rose and began
pacing the room, frowning heavily. More than tenable,
it seemed a sound scheme cleverly devised and carefully
worked out. Indeed he could think of no means so
likely to mislead and delude suspicious authorities in
their search for the criminals as this very plan.

Two points, however, think as he might, he could
not reconcile. One was that exasperating puzzle of
the changing of the lorry number plates, the other
how the running of a second boat to Swansea would
increase the profits of the syndicate.

But everything comes to him who waits, and'at last
he got an idea. Wliat if the number of the loiry was an
indication to the printers of the notes as to whether
Henri was or was not in a position to take over a con-
signment ? Would some such sign not be necessary ?
If Henri suspected he was under observation, or if he
had to make calls in unsuitable places, he would require
a secret method of passing on the information to his
accomplices. And if so, could a better scheme be devised
than that of showing a prearranged number on his
lorry ? Willis did not think so, and he accepted the
theory for what it was worth.

Encouraged by his progress, he next tackled his
second difficulty — how the running of a second boat
would dispose of more notes. But try as he would
he could arrive at no conclusion which would explain
the point. It depended obviously on the method of
distribution adopted, and of this part of the affair he
was entirely ignoiant. Failure to account for this

A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY 199

did not therefore necessarily invalidate the theory as
a whole.

And with the theory as a whole he was immensely
pleased. As far as he could see it fitted all the
known facts, and bore the stamp of probability to an
even greater degree than that ot brandy smuggling.

But theories were not enough. He must get ahead
with his investigation.

Accordingly next morning he began his new inquiry
by sending a telegram

“To Beamish, Landes Pit-Prop S3mdicate, Ferriby,
Hull.

“ Could you meet me off London train at Paragon
Station at 3.9 to-morrow re death of Coburn. I should
like to get back by 4.0. If not would stay and go out
to Ferriby.

“ Willis,

“ Scotland Yard.'"

He travcll'^d that same day to Hull, having arranged
for the reply to be sent after him. Going to the first-
class refreshment room at Paragon, he had a conversation
with the barmaid in which he disclosed his official
position and passed over a ten shilling note in account
for services about to be rendered. Then, leaving by
the evening train, he returned to Doncaster, where he
spent the night.

On the next day he boarded the London train which
rearhes Hull at 3.9. At Paragon Station he soon
singled out Beamish from Merriman's description.

“ Sorry for asking you to come in. Captain Beamish,*'
he apologised, “ but I was anxious if possible to get
back to London to-night. I heard of you from Miss
Coburn and Mr. Merriman, both of whom read of the
tragedy in the papers, and severally came to make in-
quiries at the Yard. Lloyd's Register told me your
ship came in here, so I came along to see you in the
hope that you might be able to give me some information

200 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

about the dead man which might suggest a line of
inquiry as to his murderer."

Beamish replied politely and with a show of readiness
and candour.

" No trouble to meet you, inspector. I had to come
up to Hull in any case, and I shall be glad to tell you
anything I can about poor Cobum. Unfortunately I
am afraid it won’t be much. When our syndicate was
starting we wanted a manager for the export end.
Cobum applied, there was a personal interview, he
seemed suitable and he was appointed on trial. I
know nothing whatever about him otherwise, except
that he made good, and I may say that in the two
years of our acquaintance I always found him not
only pleasant and agreeable to deal with, but also
exceedingly efficient in his work."

Willis asked a number of other questions — ^harmless
questions, easily answered — ^about the syndicate and
Cobum’s work, ending up with an expression of thanks
for the other’s trouble and an invitation to adjouin
for a drink.

Beamish accepting, the inspector led the way to the
first-class refreshment room and approached the counter
opposite the barmaid whose acquaintance he had made
the previous day,

" Two small whiskies, please," he ordered, having
asked his companion’s choice.

The girl placed the two small tumblers of yellow
liquid before her customers and Willis added a little
water to each.

“Well, here’s yours," he said, and raising his glass
to his lips, drained the contents at a draught. Captain
Beamish did the same.

The inspector’s offer of a second drink having been
declined, the two men left the refreshment room, still
chatting about the murdered man. Ten minutes later
Captain Beamish saw the inspector off in the London
train. But he did not know that in the van of that
train there was a parcel, labelled to “ Inspector Willis,

20Z

A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY

passenger to Doncaster by 4.0 p.m./’ which contained
a small tumbler, smelling of whisky, and carefully
packed so as to prevent sides from being rubbed.

The inspector \/as the next thing to excited when,
some time later, he locked the door of his bedioom in
the Stag’s Head Hotel at Dc^ncaster and, carefi^y
unpacking the tumbler, he took out Hs powdering
apparatus and exsimined it for prints. With satisfaction
he found his little ruse had succeeded. The glass bore
clearly defined marks of a right thumb and two fingers.

Eagerly he compared the prints with those he had
found on the taxi call-tube. And then he sufit j ed dis-
appointment keen and deep. The two sets were
dissimilar.

So his theory had been wrong, and Captain Beamish
was not the murderer after all 1 He realised now that
he had been much more convinced of its truth than he
had had any right to be, and his chagrin was cor-
resj^ndingly greater. He had indeed been so sure that
Beamish was his man that he had failed sufficiently
to consider ot’^cr possibilities, and now he found himself
without any alternate theory to fcill back on.

But he remained none the less certain that Cobum's
death was due to his effort to break with the syndicate^
and that it was to the syndicate that he must look for
light on the matter. There were other members of it
— he knew of two. Archer and Morton, and there might
be more — one of whom might be the man he sought.
It seemed to him that his next business niust be to find
those other members, ascertain if any of them were
tall men and, if so, obtain a copy of their finger-prints.

But how was this to be done ? Obviously from the
shadowing of the members whom he knew, that was.
Captain Beamish, Bulla, and Benson, the Ferriby
manager. Of these, Beamish and Bulla were for the
most part at sea; therefore, he thought, his efforts
should be concentrated on Benson.

It w^ with a view to some such contingency that he
had alighted at Doncaster instead of returning to

202 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

London, and he now made up his mind to return on
the following day to Hull and, the Girondin having by
that time left, to see what he could learn at the Ferriby
depot.

He spent three days shadowing Benson, without
coming on anything in the slightest degree suspicious.
The manager spent each of the days at the wharf until
about six o’clock. Then he walked to Ferriby Station
and took the train to Hull, where he dined, spent the
evening at some place of amusement, and returned
to the depot by a late train.

On the fourth day, as the same programme seemed
to be in progress, Willis came to the conclusion that
he was losing time and must take some more energetic
step. He determined that if Benson left the depot in
the evening as before, he would try to effect an entrance
to his office and have a look through his papers.

Shortly after six, from the hedge behind which he
had concealed himself, he saw Benson appear at the
door in the corrugated iron fence, and depart in the
direction of Ferriby. The five employees had left about
an hour earlier, and the inspector believed the works
were entirely deserted.

After giving Benson time to get clear away, he crept
from his hiding place, and approaching the depot, tried
the gate in the fence. It was locked, but few locks were
proof against the inspector’s prowess, and Vv'ith the
help of a bent wire he was soon within the enclosure.
He closed the gate behind him, and glancing carefully
round, approached the shed.

The door to the office was also locked, but the bent
wire conquered it too, and in a couple of minutes he
pushed it open, passed through, and closed it behind
him.

The room was small, finished with yellow match-
boarded walls and ceiling, and containing a closed roll
top desk, a table littered with papers, a vertical file,
two cupboards, a telephone, and other simple office
requisites. Two doors led out of it, one to the manager's

A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY 203

bedroom, the other to the shed. Thinking that these
could wait, Willis settled down to make an examination
of the ofi&ce.

He ran rapidly though methodically through the
papers on the table without finding anything of interest.
All referred to the pit-prop industry, and seemed to
indicate that the business was carried on efficiently.
Next he tackled the deck, picking the lock with his
usual skill. Here also, though he examined everything
with meticulous care, his search was fruitless.

He moved to the cupboards. One was unfastened
and contained old ledgers, account books and the like,
none being of any interest. The other cupboard was
locked, and Willis's quick eyes saw that the woodwork
round the keyhole was much scratched, showing that
the lock was frequently used. Again the wire was
brought into requisition, and in a moment the door
swung open, revealing to the inspector's astonished
gaze — a telephone.

CuiiSiderably puzzled, he looked round to the wall
next the door. Yes, he had not been mistaken ; there
also was affixed a telephone. He crossed over to it,
and follovang with his eye the run of the wires, saw
that it was connected to those which approached the
slied from across the railway.

With what, then, did this second instrument com-
municate ? There wtre no other wires approaching
the shed, nor could h. find any connection to which it
could be attached.

He examined the instrument more closely, and then
he saw that it was not of the standard government
pattern. It was marked ** The A.M. Curtiss Co., Phila-
delphia, Pa." It was therefore part of a private
installation and, as such, illegal, as the British Govern-
ment hold the monopoly for all telephones in the
country. At least it would be illegal if it were connected
up.

But was it ? The wires passed through the back of
the cupboard into the wall, and, looking down, Willis

204 the pit-prop syndicate

saw that one of the wall sheeting boards, reaching from
the cupboard to the floor, had at some time been taken
out and replaced with screws.

To satisfy his curiosity he took out his combination
pocket knife, and deftly removing the screws, pulled
the board forward. His surprise was not lessened when
he saw that the wires ran down inside the wall and,
heavily insulated, disappeared into the groimd beneath
the shed.

" Is it possible that they have a cable ? '' thought
the puzzled man, as he replaced the loose board and
screwed it fast.

The problem had to stand over, as he wished to
complete his investigation of the remainder of the
building. But though he searched the entire premises
with the same meticulous thoroughness that he had
displayed in dealing with the papers, he came on
nothing else which in any way excited his interest.

He let himself out and, relocking the various doors
behind him, walked to Hessle and from there returned
to his hotel in Hull.

He was a good deal intrigued by his discovery of the
secret telephone. That it was connected up and
frequently used he was certain, both from the elabora-
tion of its construction and from the marking round
the cupboard keyhole. He wondered if he could without
discovery tap the wires and overhear the business
discussed. Had the wires been carried on poles the
matter would have been simple, but as things w*ere he
would have to make Ms connection under the loose
board, and carry his cable out through the wall and
along the shore to some point at which the receiver
would be Mdden — ^by no means an easy matter.

But in default of something better he would have
tried it, had not a second discovery he made later on
the same evening turned Ms thoughts into an entirely
new channel.

It was in thinking over the probable purpose of the
telephone that he got his idea. It seemed obvious

A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY 20S

that it was used for the secret side of the enterprise^
and if so, would it not most probably connect the
import depot of the secret commodity with that of its
distribution ? Ferriby wharf ;was the place of import,
but the distribution, as the conversations overheard
indicated, lay not in the hands c'f Benson but of Archer,
What if the telephone led to Archer ?

There was another poinL The difficulty of la 3 dng a
secret land wire would be so enormous that in the
nature of things the line must be short. It must either
lead, Willis imagined, to the southern bank of the
estdary or to somewhere quite near.

But if both these conclusions were sound, it followed
that Archer himself must be found in the immediate
neighbourhood. Could he learn anything from following
up this idea ?

He borrowed a directory of Hull and began looking
up aJl the Archers given in the alphabetical index.
There were fifteen, and of these one immediately
attracted his attention. It read : —

"Archer, .Archibald Charles, The Elms, Ferriby."

He glanced at his watch. It was still but slightly
after ten. Taking his hat he walked to the police
station and saw the sergeant on duty.

" Yes, sir,” said the man in answer to his inquiry.
" I know the gentleman. He is the managing director
of Ackroyd and Holt's distillery, about half-way between
Ferriby and Hessle.”

" And what is he like in appearance ? " Willis con-
tinued, concealing the interest this statement had
aroused.

" A big man, sir,” the sergeant answered. " Tall,
and broad too. Clean shaven, with heavy features,
very determined looking.”

Willis had food for thought as he returned to his
hotel. Merriman had been thrilled when he leamt of
the proximity of the distillery to the syndicate's depot,
seeing therein an argument in favour of the brandy
smuggling theory. This new discovery led WUlis at first

2o6 the pit-prop syndicate

to take the same view, but the considerations which
Hilliard had pointed out occurred to Iiim also, and
though he felt a little puzzled, he was inclined to
dismiss the matter as a coincidence.

Though after his recent experience he was even more
averse to jumping to conclusions than formerly, Willis
could not but believe that he was at last on a hopeful
scent. At all events his first duty was clear. He must
find this Archibald Charles Archer, and obtain prints
of his fingers.

Next morning found him again at Ferriby, once more
looking southwards from the concealment of a cluster
of bushes. But this time the object of his attention
was no longer the syndicate's depot. Instead he focussed
his powerful glasses on the office door of the distillery.

About nine-thirty a tall, stoutly built man strode up
to the building and entered. His dress indicated that
he was of the employer class, and from the way in
which a couple of workmen touched their caps as he
passed, Willis had no doubt he was the managing
director.

For some three hours the inspector lay hidden, then
he suddenly observed the tall man emerge from the
building and walk rapidly in the direction of Ferriby.
Immediately the inspector crept down the hedge nearer
to the road, so as to see his quarry pass at closer
quarters.

It happened that as the man came abreast of Willis,
a small two seater motor-car coming from the direction
of Ferriby also reached the same spot. But instead
of passing, it slowed dowm and its occupant hailed the
tall man.

Hallo, Archer," he shouted. " Can I give you a
lift ? "

" Thanks," the big man answered. " It would be a
kindness. I have unexpectedly to go into Hull, and
my own car is out of order."

" Run you in in a quarter of an hour."

" No hurry. If I am in by half-past one it will do.

A MYSTIFYING DISCOVERY 207

I am lunching with Frazer at the Criterion at that
time/'

The two seatcr stopped, the big man entered, and the
vehicle moved rapidly away.

As soon as it was out of sight, Willis emerged from
his hiding-place, and hurrpng to the station, caught
the 1. 17 train to Hull. Twenty minutes later he passed
through the swing doors of tne Criterion.

The hotel, as is well known, is one of the most
fashionable in Hull, and at tl luncheon hour the
restaurant was well filled. Glancing casually round,
Willis could see his new acquaintance seated ac a table
in the window, in close conversation with a florid,
red-haired individual of the successful business man
type.

All the tables in the immediate vicinity were occupied,
and Willis could not get close by in the hope of over-
hearing some of the conversation, as he had intended.
He therefore watched the others from a distance, and
when tiiey moved to the lounge he followed them.

He heard hem order coffee and liqueurs, and then a
sudden idea came into his head. Rising he followed
tlit^ waiter through the service door.

“ 1 want a small job done," he said, while a ten
shilling note changed hands. " I am from Scotland
\aiJ, and I want the finger-prints of the men who
have just ordered coffee. Polish the outsides of the
liqueur glasses thorougldy, and only lift them by the
stems. Then when the men have gone let me have
the glasses."

Tic returned to the lounge, and presently had the
satisfaction of seeing Archer lift his glass by the bowl
between the fingers and thumb of his right hand, to
empty the liqueur into liis coffee. Half an hour later
he was back in his hotel with the carefully packed

A very few minutes sufficed for the test. The impres-
sions showed up well, and this time the inspector gave
a sigh of relief as he compared them with those of the

2o8 the pit-prop syndicate

taxi speaking-tube. They were the same. His quest
was ^shed. Archer was the murderer of Francis
Cobum.

For a minute or two, in his satisfaction, the inspector
believed his work was done. He had only to arrest
Archer, take official prints of his fingers, and he had all
the necessary proof for a conviction. But a moment's
consideration showed him that his labours were very
far indeed from being over. What he had accomplished
was only a part of the task he had set himself. It was
a good deal more than likely that the other members
of the syndicate were confederates in the murder as
well as in the illicit trade. He must get his hands on
them too.

But if he arrested Archer he would thereby destroy
all chance of accomplishing the greater feat. The very
essence of success lay in lulling to rest any doubts
that their operations were suspect which might have
entered into the minds of the members of the syndicate.
No, he would do nothing at present, and he once more
felt himself up against the question which hadl^affled
Hilliard and Merriman — ^What was the syndicate doing ?
Until he had answered this, therefore, he could, not
rest.

And how was it to be done ? After some thought
he came to the conclusion that his most promising clue
was the secret telephone, and he made up his mind
that next day he would try to find its other end, and if
necessary tap the wires and listen in to any conversation
w'hich might take place.

CHAPTER XV

INSPECTOR WIT LIS LISTENS IN

Inspector Willis was a good d^^al e;:ercised by the
question of whether or not he should have Archer
shadowed. If the managing director conceh’^ed the
slightest suspicion of his danger he would undoubtedly
disappear, and a man of his ability would not be likely
to leave many traces. On the other hand Willis wondered
whether even Scotland Yard men could shadow him
sufficiently continuously to be a real safeguard, without
giving themselves away. And if that happened he
might indeed arrest Archer, but it would be good-bye
to any ciiance of getting his confederates.

After anxious thought he decided to take the lesser
risk. He would not bring assistants into the matter,
but would tiust to his own skill to carry on the investi-
gation unnoticed by the distiller.

Though the discovery of Archer's identity seemed
greatly to strengthen the probability that the secret
telephone led to him, Willis could not state this
positively, and he felt it was the next point to be
ascertained. The same argument that he had used
before seemed to apply — that owing to the difficulty
of the wiring, the point of connection must be close to
the depot. Archer's office was not more than three
hundred yards away, while his house, The Elms, was
over a mile. The chances were therefore in favour of
the former.

It followed that he must begin by searching
Archer's ofi&ce for the other receiver, and he turned
his attention to the problem of how this could best
be done.

209

210 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

And first, as to the lie of the offices. He called at
the Electric Generating Station, and having introduced
himself confidentially to the manager in his official
capacity, asked to see the man whose business it was
to inspect the lights at the distillery. From him he
had no difficulty in obtaining a rough plan of the
place.

It appeared that the offices were on the first floor,
fronting along the lane, Archer's private office occupying
the end of the suite and the comer of the building
nearest to the syndicate's wharf, and therefore to
Ferriby. The supervisor believed that it had two
windows looking to the front and side respectively,
but was not sure.

That afternoon Inspector Willis returned to the
distillery, and secreting himself in the same hiding-
place as before, watched until the staff had left the
building. Then strolling casually along the lane, he
observed that the two telephone wires which approached
across the fields led to the third window from the
Ferriby end of the first floor row.

"That'll be the main office," he said to himself,
" but there will probably be an extension to Archer’s
own room. Now I wonder "

He looked about him. The hedge bounding tne
river side of the lane ran up to the rorner of the building.
After another hasty glance round Willis squeezed through
and from immediately below scrutinised the side
window of the managing director's room. And then
he saw something wliich made him chuckle with
pleasure.

Within a few inches of the architrave of the window
there was a downspout, and from the top of the window
to the spout he saw stretching what looked like a
double cord. It w^as painted the same colour as the
walls, and had he not been looking out specially he
would not have seen it. A moment's glance at the foot
of the spout showed him his surmise was correct.
Pushed in behind it and normally concealed by it were

INSPECTOR WILLIS LISTENS IN 211

two insulated wires, which ran down the wall from
the window and disappeared into the ground with the
spout.

“ Got it first she:,** thought the inspector delightecUy,
as he moved away so as not to attract the attention
of any chance onlooker.

Another idea suddenly occuiTed to him and, after
estimating the height and position of the window, he
turned and ran his eye once more over his surroundings.
About fifty yards from the distiPery, and behind the
hedge fronting the lane, stood the cottage which
Hilliard and Merriman had noticed. It was iu a bad
state of repair, having evidently been unoccupied for a
long time. In the gable directly opposite the managing
director’s office was a broken window. Willis moved
round behind the house, and once again producing his
bent wire, in a few moments had the back door open.
Slipping inside, he passed through the damp smelling
rooms and up the decaying staircase until he reached
the broken window. From it, as he had hoped, he
f’jiind he had a good view into the office.

He glanced at his watch. It was ten minutes past
seven.

** ril do it to-nirht,** he murmured, and quietly
leaving the house, he hurried to Ferriby Station and
so to Hull.

Some five hours later he left the city again, this time
by motor. He stopped at the end of the lane which
ran past the distillery, dismissed the vehicle, and
passed down the lane. He was carrying a light, folding
ladder, a spade, a field telephone, a coil of insulated
wire and some small tools.

The night was very dark. The crescent moon would
not rise for another couple of hours, and a thick pall
of cloud cut off all light from the stars. A faint wind
stirred the branches of the few trees in the neighbour-
hood and sighed gently across the wide spaces of open
country. The inspector walked slowly, being barely
able to see against the sky the tops of the hedges which

212 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

bounded the lane. Except for himself no living creature
seemed to be abroad.

Arrived at his destination, Willis felt his way to
the gap in the hedge which he had used before, passed
through, and with infinite care raised his ladder to
the window of Archer's office. He could not see the
window, but he checked the position of the ladder
by measurements from the hedge. Then he slowly
ascended.

He found he had gauged his situation correctly, and
he was soon on the sill of the window, trying with his
knife to push back the hasp. This he presently ac-
complished, and then, after an effort so great that he
thought he would be beaten, he succeeded in raising
the sash. A minute later he was in the room.

His first care was to pull down the thick blinds of
blue holland with which the windows were fitted.
Then tiptoeing to the door, he noiselessly shot the bolt
in the lock.

Having thus provided against surprise, he began his
investigation. There in the top corner of the side
window were the wires. They followed the mitre of
the window architrave — ^white enamelled to match —
and then, passing down for a few inches at the outside
of the mouldings, ran along the picture rail round the
room, concealed in the groove behind it. Following
in the same way the mitre of the architrave, they
disappeared through a door in the back wall of the
office.

Willis softly opened the door, which was not locked,
and peered into a small store, evidently used for filing.
The wires were carried down the back of the architrave
moulding and along the top of the wainscoting, until
finally they disappeared into the side of one of a series
of cupboards which lined the wall opposite the door.
The cupboard was locked, but with the help of the
bent wire it soon stood open and Willis, flashing in a
beam from his electric torch, saw with satisfaction
that-he had attained at least one of his objects. A

INSPECTOR WILLIS LISTENS IN 2x3

tdephone receiver similar to that at the syndicate's
depot was within.

He examined the remaining contents of the room,
but found nothing of interest until he came to the door.
This was solidly made and edged vith rubber, and he
felt sure that it would be almost completely sound
proof. It was, moreover, furnished with a well-oiled
lock.

“Pretty complete arrangement," Willis thought as
he turned back to the outer ofiBice. Here he conducted
another of his meticulous examinations, but unfortun-
ately with a negative result.

Having silently unlocked the door and pulled up the
blinds, he climbed out on the window siU and closed
the window. He was unable to refasten the hasp, and
had therefore to leave this evidence of his visit, though
he hoped and believed it would not be noticed.

Lifting down the ladder, he carried it to the cottage
and hid it therein. Part of his task was done, and he
must Woii for daylight to complete the remainder.

\Wien some three hours later the coming dawn had
made objects visible, he again emerged armed with
his tools and coil of insulated wire. Digging a hole
at the bottom of the down pipe, he connected his
wires just below ground level to those of the telephone.
Then inserting liis spade along the face of the w^all
from the pipe to the hedge, he pushed back the adjoining
soil, placed the wires in the narrow trench thus made,
and trod the earth back into place. When the hole
at the downspout had been filled, practically no trace
remained of the disturbance.

The ground along the inside of the hedge being
thickly grown over with weeds and grass, he did not
think it necessary to dig a trench for the wire, simply
bedding it beneath the foliage. But he made a spade
cut across the sward from the hedge to the cottage door,
sank in the wire, and trod out the cut. Once he had
passed the tiny cable beneath the front door he no
longer troubled to hide it, but laid it across the floors

214 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

and up the stairs to the broken window. There he
attached the field receiver, affixing it to his ear so as
to be ready for eventualities.

It was by this time half-past six and broad daylight,
but Willis had seen no sign of life and he believed his
actions had been unobserved. He ate a few sand-
wiches, then lighting his pipe, he lay down on the floor
and smoked contentedly.

His case at last was beginning to prosper. The
finding of Cobum’s murderer was of course an event
of outstanding importance, and now this discovery of
the telephone was not only valuable for its own sake,
but was likely to bring in a rich harvest of information
from the messages he hoped to intercept. Indeed he
believed he could hardly fail to obtain from this source
a definite indication of the nature and scope of the
conspiracy.

About eight o’clock he could see from his window
a number of workmen arrive at the distillery, followed
an hour later by the clerical staff. After them came
Archer, passing from his car to the building Vith his
purposeful stride. Almost immediately he appeared
in his ofiice, sat down at his desk, and began to
work.

Until nearly midday Willis watched him going through
papers, dictating letters, and receiving subordinates.
Then about two minutes to the hour he saw him look
at his watch, rise, and approach the door from the
other office, which was in Willis’s line of vision behind
the desk. He stooped over the lock as if turning the
key, and then the watcher's excitement rose as the
other disappeared out of sight in the direction of the
filing room.

Willis was not disappointed. Almost immediately
he heard the faint call of the tiny buzzer, and then a
voice — Archer's voice, he believed, from what he had
heard in the hotel lounge — called softly, ‘‘Are you
there ? "

There was an immediate answer. Willis had never

INSPECTOR WILLIS LISTENS IN 215

heard Benson speah, but he presumed that the reply
must be from him.

“ Anything to report ? " Archer queried.

“ No. Everything going on as usual.**

** No strangers poking round and asking questions ? '*

No.**

“ And no traces of a visitor ^vhile you v^ere awaj ? **

** None.'*

'* Good. It*s probably a false alarm. Beamish may
have been mistaken.**

“ I hope so, but he seemed very suspicious of that
Scotland Yard man — said he »vas sure he was out for
more than he pretended. He thought he was too
easily satisfied with the information he got, and that
some of his questions were too foolish to be genuine.**

Inspector Willis sat up sharply. This was a blow to
his dignity, and he felt not a little scandalised. But
he had ao time to consider his feelings. Archer was
speaking again.

I tiiink we had better be on the safe side. If you
have the sligh‘-f‘st suspicion don't wait to report to me.
Wire at once to Henri at the clearing this message —
take it down so that there'll be no mistake — 'Six
hundred four -foot props wanted. If possible send next
cargo.' Got that ? He will understand. It is our
code for ‘Suspect danger. Send blank cargoes until
fuither notice.* Then if a search is made nothing
will be found, because there won't be anything there
to find."

" Very good. It's a pity to lose the money, but I
expect you’re right."

" We can’t take avoidable risks. Now about yourself.
I see you brought no stuff up last night ? "

" Couldn't. I had a rotten bilious attack. I started,
but had to go back to bed again. Couldn't stand."

" Better ? "

Yes, alright now, thanks."

"Then you'll bring the usual up to-night?"

" Certainly."

2i6 the pit-prop syndicate

'"Very well. Now, what about ten forty-five for
to-morrow ?

" Right.’'

The switch snapped, and in a few seconds the watcher
saw Archer return to his ofi&ce, bend for a moment over
the lock of the door, then reseat himself at his desk.

Inspector Willis was as much excited as his profes-
sional calm would allow.

" Tve got them now," he thought triumphantly.
" IVe got them at last. To-night Til take them red-
handed in whatever they're doing." He smiled in
anticipation. " By Jove," he went on, " it was lucky
they sent nothing up last night, or they would have
taken me red-handed, and that might have been the
end of me 1 "

He was greatly impressed by the excellence of the
telephone scheme. There was nothing anywhere about
it to excite suspicion, and it kept Archer in touch with
the illicit undertaking, while enabling him to hold
himself absolutely aloof from all its members. If the
rest of the organisation was as good, it was hot sur-
prising that Hilliard and Merriman had been bafHed.

But the puzzle was now solved, the mystery at an
end. That night, so Willis assured himself, the truth
would be known.

He remained in his hiding-place ail day, until, indeed,
he had watched the workers at the distillery leave and
the gray shadows of evening had begun to descend.
Then he hid the telephone and wire in a cupboard,
stealthily left the house, and after a rapid glance round
hurried along the lane towards Ferriby.

He caught the 6.57 train to Hull, and in a few minutes
was at the police station. There he saw the super-
intendent, and after a little trouble got him to fall in
with the plan which he had devised.

As a result of their conference a large car left the
city shortly before nine, in which were seated Inspector
Willis and eight picked constables in plain clothes.
They drove to the end of the Ferriby Lane, where the

INSPECTOR WILLIS LISTENS IN 217

men dismotmted and took cover behind some ^ubs,
while the car returned towards Hull.

It was almost, but not quite dark. There was no
moon, but the sk}" was clear and the stars were showing
brightly. A faint air, in which there was already a
touch of chUl, sighed gently through the leaves, rising
at intervals almost to a breeze, then falling away again
to iiothing. Lights were showing here and there —
yellow gleams from unshaded windows, signal lamps
from the railway, navigation lights from the river.
Except for the sound of the retreating car and the
dull roar of a distant train, the night was ver}^ still, a
night, in fact, pre-eminently suitable for the inspector's
purpose.

The nine men moved silently down the lane at
intervals of a few minutes, their rubber shod feet making
no sound on the hard surface. Willis went first, and as
the others reached him he posted them in the positions
on which he had previously decided. One man took
covei btliind the hedge of the lane a short distance on
the distillery side of the wharf, another behind a pile
of old material on the railway at the same place, a third
hid himself among some bushes on the open ground
between the railway and the river, while a fourth crept
as near to tlie end of the wharf as the tide would allow,
so as to watch approaches from the water. When they
were in position, Willis felt convinced no one could
leave the syndicate's depot for the distillery without
being seen.

The other four men he led on to the distillery, placing
them in a similar manner on its Ferriby side. If by
some extraordinary chance the messenger with the
" stuff " should pass the first cordon, the second, he
was satisfied, would take him. He lett himself free
to move about as might appear desirable.

The country was extraordinarily deserted. Not one
of the nine men had seen a living soul since they left
their motor, and Willis felt certain that his dispositions
had been carried out in absolute secrecy.

P.P.S.

p

2i8 the pit-prop syndicate

He crossed the fence on to the railway. By climbing
half-way up the ladder of a signal he was able to see
the windows of the shed over the galvanised fence.
All were in darkness, and he wondered if Benson had
gone on his customary expedition into Hull.

To satisfy himself on this point he hid beneath a
wagon which was standing on the siding close to the
gate in the fence. If the manager were returning by
his usual train he would be due in a few minutes, and
Willis intended to wait and see.

It was not long before a sharp footfall told that
some one was coming along the lane. The unknown
paused at the stile, climbed over, and, walking more
carefully across the rails, approached the door. Willis,
whose eyes were accustomed to the gloom, could make
out the dim form of a man, showing like a smudge of
intensified blackness against the obscurity beyond.
He unlocked the door, passed through, slammed it
behind him, and his retreating steps sounded from
within. Finally another door closed in the distance
and silence again reigned.

Willis crawled out from beneath his truck and once
more climbed the signal ladder. The windows of
Benson*s office were now lighted up, but the blinds
being drawn, the inspector could see nothing within.

After about half an hour he observed the same
phenomenon as Hilliard and Merriman had witnessed
— the light was carried from the office to the bedroom,
and a few minutes later disappeared altogether.

The ladder on which he was standing appearing to
Willis to offer as good an observation post as he could
hope to get, he climbed to the little platform at the
top, and seating himself, leaned back against the timber
upright and continued his watch.

Though he was keenly interested by his adventure,
time soon began to drag. It was cramped on the little
seat, and he could not move freely for fear of falling off.
Then to his dismay he began to grow sleepy. He had
of course been up all the previous night, and though

INSPECTOR WILLIS LISTENS IN 219

he had dozed a little during his vigil in the deserted house,
he had not really recited. He yawned, stretched himself
carefully, and made a determined effort to overcome
his drowsiness.

He was suddenly and unexpectedly successful. He
got the start of his life, and for a moment he thought
an earthquake had come. The signal post trembled
and swayed, while with a heavy metallic clang objects
moved through the darkness near his head. He
gripped the lail, and then he laughed as he remembered
that railway signals were movable. This one had just
been lowered for a train.

Presently it roared past beneath him, enveloping him
in a cloud of steam, which for an instant w^ lit bright
as day by the almost white beam that poured out of
the open doo^ of the engine firebox. Then, the steam
clearing, there appeared a strip of faintly lit ground
on either side of the flying carriage roofs ; it promptly
vanished ; red tail lamps appeared, leaping away ;
there the rattle of wheels over siding connections,
and with a rapidly decreasing roar the visitation was
i>ast. For a n.oment there remained the quickly moving
spot of lighted steam, then it too vanished. Once
again the signal post swayed as the heavy mechanism
of the arm ^^ropped back into the “ on position, and
then all was once more still.

The train had effectually wakened Willis, and he
set himself with a renewed vigour to his task. Sharply
he watched the dark mass of the shed with its sur-
rounding enclosure, keenly he listened for some sound
of movement within. But all remained dark and
silent.

Towards one in the morning he descended from his
perch and went the round of his men. Ml were alert,
and all were unanimous that no one had passed.

The time dragged slowly on. The wind had risen
somewhat and clouds were banking towards the north-
west. It grew colder, and Willis fancied there must
be a touch of frost.

220

THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

About four o’clock he went round his pickets for the
second time. He was becoming more and more surprised
that the attempt had been delayed so long, and when
some two hours later the coming dawn began to
brighten the eastern sky and still no sign had been
observed, his chagrin waxed keen. As the light in-
creased he withdrew his men to cover, and about
seiven o’clock, when it was no longer possible that
anything would be attempted, he sent them by ones
and twos to await their car at the agreed rendezvous.

He was more disappointed at the failure of his trap
than he would have believed possible. What, he
wondered, could have happened ? Why had the con-
spirators so unexpectedly abandoned their purpose ?
Had he given himself away ? He went over in his
mind every step he had Laken, and he did not see how
any one of them could have become known to his
enemies, or how any of his actions could have aroused
their suspicions. No ; it was not, he felt sure, that
they had realised their danger. Some other quite
accidental circumstance had intervened to cause them
to postpone the transfer of the “ stuff ” for that night.

But what extraordinarily hard luck for him 1 He
had obtained his helpers from the superintendent only
after considerable trouble, and the difficulty of getting
them again would be much greater. And not the least
annoying thing was that he, a London man, one, indeed,
of the best men at the Yard, had been made to look
ridiculous in the eyes of these provincial police 1

Dog-tired and hungry though he was, he set his
teeth and determined that he would return to the
cottage in the hope of learning the reason of his failure
from the conversation which he expected would take
place between Archer and Benson at a quarter to eleven
that day.

Repeating, therefore, his proceedings of the previous
morning, he regained his point of vantage at the broken
window. Again he watched the staff arrive, and again
observed Archer enter and take his place at his desk.

INSPECTOR WiLLIS LISTENS IN 22?

He was desperately sleepy, and it required all the
power of his strong will to keep himself awake. But
at last his perseverance was rewarded, and at 10.45
exactly he saw Archer bolt his door and disappear
towards the filing room. A moment later the buzzer
sounded.

Are you there ? " once again came in Archer’s
voice, followed by the astounding phrase, I see you
brought up that stuff last nigut.*'

“ Yes, I brought up two hundred and fifty/’ was
Benson’s equally amazing reply.

Inspector Willis gasped. He could scarcely believe
his cars. So he had been tricked after all I In spite of
his carefully placed pickets, in spite of his own ceaseless
watchfulness, he had been tricked. Two hundred and
fifty of the illicit somethings had been conveyed, right
under his and his men’s noses, from the depot to the
distillery. Almost choking with rage and amazement
he heard Archer continue : —

I had a lucky deal after our conversation yesterday,
got seven himdred unexpectedly planted. You may
send up a cou/le of hundred extra to-night if you like.”

” Right. I shall,” Benson answered, and the con-
versation ceased.

Inspector WiUis swore bitterly as he lay back on the
dusty floor and pillowed his head on his hands. And
then while he still fumed and fretted, outraged nature
asserted herself and he fell asleep.

He woke, ravenously hungry, as it was getting dusk,
and he did not delay long in letting himself out of the
house, regaining the lane, and walking to Ferriby
Station. An hour later he was dining at his hotel in
Hull.

CHAPTER XVI

THE SECRET OF THE SYNDICATE

A night's rest made Willis once more his own man,
and next morning he found that his choking rage had
evaporated, and that he was able to think calmly and
collectedly over the failure of his plans.

As he reconsidered in detail the nature of the watch
he had kept, he felt more than ever certain that his
cordons had not been broken through. No one, he felt
satisfied, could have passed unobserved between the
depot and the distillery.

And in spite of this the stuff had been delivered.
Archer and Benson were not bluffing to put him oH the
scent. They had no idea that they were overheard,
and therefore had no reason to say anything* except
the truth.

How then was the communication being made ?
Surely, he thought, if these people could devise a
scheme, he should be able to guess it. He was not
willing to admit his brain inferior to any man's.

He lit his pipe and drew at it slowly as he
turned the question over in his mind. And then
a possible solution occurred to him. What about a
subterranean connection ? Had these men driven a
tunnel ?

Here undoubted!}’ was a possibility. To drive three
hundred yards of a heading large enough for a stooping
man to pass through, w'ould be a simple matter to men
who had shown the skill of these conspirators. The
soil was light and sandy, and they could use without
suspicion as much timber as they required to shore
up their work. It was true they would have to pass

222

THE SECRET OF THE SYNDICATE 223

under the railway, but that again was a matter of
timbering.

Th^ir greatest difliculty, he imagined, would be in
the disposal of the surplus earth. He began to figure
out what it would mean. The passage way could hardly
be less than four feet by five, to rilow for lining, and
this would amount to about two yards of material to
the yard run, or say six hundred or seven hundred cubic
yards altogether. Could this nave been absorbed in
the filling of the wharf ? He thought so. The wharf
was a large structure, tliirty yards by thirty at least
and eight or nine feet high ; more than two thousand
cubic yards of filling would have been required for it.
The disposal of the earth, therefore, would have pre-
sented no difficulty. All that came out of a tunnel
could have gone into the wharf three times over.

A tunnel seemingly being a practical proposition,
he turned his attention to his second problem. How
could he find out whether or not it had been made ?

Obviously only from examination at one or other
end. If it existed it must connect with cellars at the
depot and the distillery. And of these there could be
no question of which he ought to search. The depot
was not only smaller and more compact, but it was
deserted at intervals If he could not succeed at the
syndicate's enclosure he would have no chance at the
larger building.

It was true he had already searched it without result,
but he was not then specially looking for a cellar, and
with a more definite objective he might have better
luck. He decided that if Benson went up to Hull that
night he would have another try.

He took an afternoon train to Ferriby, and walking
back towards the depot, took cover in the same place
that he had previously used. There, sheltered by a
hedge, he watched for the manager's appearance.

The weather had, from the inspector's point of view,
changed for the worse. The sunny days had gone, and
the sky was overladen with clouds. A cold wind blew

224 the pit-prop syndicate

in gustily from the south-east, bringing a damp fog
which threatened every minute to turn to rain, and
flecking the lead coloured waters of the estuary with
spots of white. Willis shivered and drew up his collar
higher roimd his ears as he crouched behind the wet
bushes.

“ Confound it,'* he thought, '' when I get into that
shed I shall be dripping water all over the floor."

But he remained at his post, and in due course he
was rewarded by seeing Benson appear at the door in
the fence, and after locking it behind liim, start off
down the railway towards Ferriby.

As before, WiUis waited imtil the manager had got
clear away, then slipping across the line, he produced
his bent wire, opened the door, and five minutes later
stood once more in the office.

From the nature of the case it seemed clear that the
entrance to the cellar, if such existed, would be hidden.
It was therefore for secret doors or moving panels that
he must look.

He began by ascertaining the thickness of all the
walls, noting the size of the rooms so as to calculate
those he could not measure directly. He SQon found
that no wall was more than six inches thick, and none
could therefore contain a concealed opening.

This narrowed his search. The exit from the building
could only be through a trap-door in the floor.

Accordingly he set to work in the office, crawling
torch in hand along the boards, scrutinising the joints
between them for any that were not closed with dust,
feeling for any that might be loose. But all to no
purpose. The boards ran in one length across the floor
and were obviously firmly nailed down on fixed joists.

He went to the bedroom, rolling aside the mats
which covered the floor and moving the furniture back
and forwards. But here he had no better result.

The remainder of the shed was floored with concrete,
and a less meticulous examination was sufficient to
show that the surface was unbroken. Nor was there

THE SECRET OF THE SYNDICATE 225

anything either on the wharf itself or in the enclosure
behind the shed which could form a cover to a flight
of steps.

Sordy disappointed, Willis returned once more to
the ofl5ce and, sitting down, went over once again in
his mind what he had done, trying to think if there
was a point on the whole area ('‘f the depot which he
had overlooked. He could recall none except the space
beneath a large wardrobe in che next room which,
owing to its obvious weight, he had not moved.

I suppose I had better mak'' sure," he said to
himself, though he did not believe so massive a piece
of furniture could have been pulled backward Is and
forwards without leaving scratches on the floor.

He returned to the bedroom. The wardrobe was
divided into two portions, a single deep drawer along
the bottom, and above it a kind of large cupboard with
a central door. He seized its end. It was certainly
very heavy ; in fact, he found himself unable to move it.

He picked up his torch and examined the wooden
base. And then his interest grew, for he found it was
strongly stitch ’tailed to the floor.

Considerably mystified he tried to open the door.
It was locked, and though with his wire he eventually
shot back the bolt, the trouble he had proved that the
lock was one of first quality. Indeed, it was not a
cupboard lock screwed to the inside of the door, as
might have been expected, but a small-sized mortice
Jock hidden in the thickness of the wood, and the
keyhole came through to the inside ; just the same
arrangement as is usual in internal house doors.

The inside of the wardrobe revealed nothing of
interest. Two coats and waistcoats, a sweater, and
some other clothes were hanging from hooks at the
back. Otherwise the space was empty.

" Why," he wondered as he stood staring in, " should
it be necessary to lock up clothes like these ? "

His eyes turned to the drawer below, and he seized
the handles and gave a sharp pull. The drawer was

226 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

evidently locked. Once again he produced his wire,
but for the first time it failed him. He flashed a beam
from his lamp into the hole, and then he saw the
reason.

The hole was a dummy. It entered the wood but did
not go through it. It was not connected to a lock.

He passed the light round the edges of the drawer.
If there was no lock to fasten it why had he been unable
to open it ? He took out his penknife and tried to
push the blade into the surrounding space. It would
not penetrate, and he saw that there was no space,
but merely a cut half an inch deep in the wood. There
was no drawer. What seemed a drawer was merely a
blind panel.

Inspector Willis grew more and more interested.
He could not see why all that space should be wasted,
as it was clear from the way in which the wardrobe was
finished that economy in construction had not been the
motive.

Once again he opened the door of the upper portion,
and putting his head inside passed the beam of the
lamp over the floor. This time he gave a little snort of
triumph. The floor did not fit tight to the sides. All
round was a space of some eighth of an inch. .

“The trap-door at last/' he muttered, as he began to
feel about for some hidden spring. At last, pressing
down on one end of the floor, he found that it sank and
the other end rose in the air, revealing a square of inky
blackness out of which poured a stream of cold, damp
air, and through which he could hear, with the echoing
sound peculiar to vaults, the splashing and churning
of the sea.

His torch revealed a flight of steps leading down
into the darkness. Having examined the pivoted floor
to make sure there was no secret catch which could
fasten and imprison him below, he stepped on to the
ladder and began to descend. Then the significance
of the mortice lock in the wardrobe door occurred to
him, and he stopped, drew the door to behind him, and

THE SECRET OB THE SYNDICATE 627

with his wire locked it. Descending farther he allowed
the floor to drop gently into place above his head, thus
leaving no tiace of his passage.

He had by this time reached the ground, and he
stood flashing his torch about on his surroundings. He
was in a cellar, so low in the roof that except immedi-
ately beneath the stairs he could not stand upright.
It was square, some twelve feel either way, and from
it issued two passages, one apparently running down
under the wharf, the other at right angles and some
two feet lower in level, leading as if ti wards the distillery.
Dovm the centre of this latter ran a tiny tramway of
about a foot gauge, on which stood three kegs on four-
wheeled frames. In the upper side of each keg was
fixed a tundish, to the under side a stop-cock. Tw'o
insulated wires came down through the ceiling below
the cupboard in which the telephone was installed, and
ran down the tunnel towards the distillery.

The walls and ceiling of both cellar and passages were
suppor<-ed by pit-props, discoloured by the damp and
marked by stains of earthy water which had oozed
from the spaces between. They glistened with moisture,
but the air, though cold and damp, was fresh. That
and the noise of the waves which reverberated along
the passage under the wharf seemed to show that there
was an open connection to the river.

The cellar was empty except for a large wooden
tun or cask which reached almost to the ceiling, and a
gun-metal hand pump. Pipes led from the latter, one to
the tun, the other along the passage under the wharf.
On the side of the tun and connected to it at top and
bottom was a vertical glass tube protected by a wooden
casing, evidently a gauge, as beside it was a scale
headed ** gallons,'' and reading from 0 at the bottom
to 2000 at the top. A dark coloured liquid filled the
tube up to the figure 1250. There was a wooden spigot
tap in the side of the tun at floor level, and the tram-
line ran beneath this so that the wheeled kegs could
be pushed below it and filled.

<28 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

The inspector gazed with an expression almost of
awe on his face.

“ Lord I ** he muttered. Is it brandy after all ? "

He stooped and smelled the wooden tap, and the
last doubt was removed from his mind.

He gave vent to a comprehensive oath. Right
enough it was hard luck I Here he had been hoping
to bring off a forged note coup which would have made
lus name, and the affair was a job for the Customs
Department after all I Of course a pretty substantial
reward would be due to him for his discovery, and
there was his murder case all quite satisfactory, but
forged notes were more in his line, and he felt cheated
out of his due.

But now that he was so far he might as well learn
all he could. The more complete the case he gave in,
the larger the reward. Moreover, his own curiosity was
keenly aroused.

The cellar being empty save for the tun, the pump
and the small tramway and trucks, he turned, and
flashing his light before him, walked slowly along ihe
passage down wliich ran the pipe. He was, he felt
sure, passing under the wharf and heading towards the
river.

Some sixty feet past the pump the floor of the passage
came to an abrupt end, falling vertically as by an
enormous step to the churning waters of the river some
six feet below. At first in the semi-darkness Willis
thought he had reached the front of the wharf, but he
soon saw he was still in the cellar. The roof ran on at
the same level for some twenty feet farther, and the
side walls, here about five feet apart, went straight
down from it into the water. Across the end was a
wall, sloping outwards at the bottom and made of
horizontd pit-props separated by spaces of two or
three inches. Willis immediately realised that these
props must be those placed behind the inner or raking
row of piles which supported the front of the wharf.

Along one side waU for its whole length was nailed

THE SECRET OF THE SYNDICATE 229

a series of horizontal laths twelve inches apart. What
their purpose was h-^ did not know, but he saw that
they made a ladder twenty feet wide, by which a man
coidd work his way from the passage to the end wall
and reach the water at any height of the tide.

Above this ladder was an object which at first puzzled
the Inspector, then as he realised its object, It became
highly illuminating. On a coiiole of brackets secured
to the wall lay a pipe of thin steel covered with thick
black baize, and some sixteen feet long by an inch in
diameter. Through it ran the light copper pipe which
was connected at its other end to the pump. At the
end of the passage this pipe had several joints like
those of a gas bracket, and was folded on itself con-
certina-wise.

The inspector stepped on to the ladder and worked
his way across it to the other end of the steel pipe,
close by the end wall.v The copper pipe protruded and
ended in a fitting like the half of a union. As Willis
gazed he suddenly grasped its significance.

The side of the Girondinf he thought, would lie not
more than ten feet from where he was standing. If at
night some one from within the cellar were to push the
end of the steel tube out through one of the spaces
between the liorizont:.! timbers of the end wall, It could
be inserted into a port-hole, supposing one were just
opposite. The concertina joints would make it flexible
and allow it to extend, and the baize covering would
prevent its being heard should it inadvertently strike
the side of the ship. The union on the copper tube
could then be fixed to some receptacle on board, the
brandy being pumped from the ship to the tun.

And no outsider could possibly be any the wiser!
Given a dark night and careful operators, the whole
thing would be carried out invisibly and in absolute
silence.

Now Willis saw the object of the peculiar construction
of the front of the wharf. It was necessary to have
two lines of piles, so that the deck between might

230 THE Pif.PROP SYNDICATE

overshadow and screen from view the openings between
the horizontal beams at the front of the cellar. He
stood marvelling at the ingenuity of the plan. No
wonder Hilliard and Merriman had been baffled.

But if he were to finish his investigations, he must
no longer delay. He worked back across the side of
the cellar, regained the passage, and returned to the
pump room. Then turning into the other passage, he
began to walk as quickly as possible along it.

The tunnel was barely four feet high by three wide,
and he found progress very tiring. After a slight curve
at the mouth it ran straight and almost dead level. Its
construction was the same as that of the cellar, longi-
tudinal timber lining supported behind verticals and
lintels spaced about six feet apart. When he had gone
about two hundred yards it curved sharply to the left,
ran heavily timbered for some thirty yards in the
new direction, and then swung round to the right
again.

" I suppose the railway crosses here,'" Willis thought,
as he passed painfully round the bends.

The sweat stood in drops on his forehead when he
reached the end, and he breathed a sigh of relief as he
realised he could once more stand upright and stretch
his cramped back. He found himself in another cellar,
this time about six feet by twelve. The tramway ran
along it, stopping at the end wall. The place was other-
wise empty, save for a wooden grating or tundish witn
a hinged lid, which Avas fixed between the rails near
the entrance. The telephone wires, which had followed
the tunnel all the way, here vanished into the roof.

Willis concluded he must be standing beneath some
part of the distillery, and a very little thought was
required to make clear to him the raison d*etre of what
he saw. He pictured the kegs being pushed under the
tap of the large tun in the pump-room and filled with
brandy pumj)ed in from the Girondin, In imagination
he saw Benson pushing his loaded trucks through the
tunnel — a much easier thing to do than to walk without

THE SECRET OF THE SYNDICATE 231

something to stoop over — ^stopping them one by one
over the grating and emptying the contents therein.
No doubt that grating was connected to some vat or
tun buried still deeper beneath the distillery, in which
the brandy mingled with the other brandy brought
there by more legitimate means, and which was sold
without documentary evidence of its surprising increase
in bulk.

It was probable, thought Willis, that some secret
door must connect the chamber in which he stood with
the distillery, but a careful search revealed no trace of
any opening, and he was forced to the conclusion that
none existed. Accordingly, he turned and began to
retrace his steps through the tunnel.

The walk back seemed even longer and more irksome*
than his first t^-ansit, and he stopped here and there and
knelt down in order to straighten his aching back. As
he advanced, the booming sound of the waves, which
had died down to a faint murmur at the distillery, grew
louder and louder. At last he reached the pump-cellar,
and was just about to step out of the tunnel when his
eye caught the flicker of a light at the top of the step-
ladder. Some one was coming down !

Willis instantly snapped off his own light, and for the
fraction of a second he stood transfixed, while his heart
thumped and his hand slid round to his revolver pocket.
Breathlessly he watched a pair of legs step on to the
ladder and begin to descend the steps.

Like a flash he realised what he must do. If this was
Benson ''oming to “ take up stuff,'* to remain in the
tunnel meant certain discovery. But if only he could
reach the passage under the wharf, he might be safe.
There was nothing to bring Benson into it.

But to cross the cellar he must pass within two
feet of the ladder, and the man was half-way down.
For a moment it looked quite hopeless, then un-
expectedly he* got his chance. The man stopped to lock
the wardrobe door. Wlien he had finished, Willis was
already across the cellar and hurrying down the other

233 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

passage. Fortunately the noise of the waves drowned
all other sounds.

By the time the unknown had reached the bottom of
the ladder, Willis had stepped on to the cross laths and
was descending by them. In a moment he was below
the passage level. He intended, should the other
approach, to hide beneath the water in the hope that
in the darkness his head would not be seen.

But the Jight remained in the cellar, and Willis
raised L... If and cautiously peeped down the passage.
Then he t j-'^n to congratulate himself on what he
had just been considering his misfortune. For, watching
there in the darkness, he saw Benson carry out the
very operations he had imagined were performed.
The manager wheeled the kegs one by one beneath the
great barrel, filled them from the tap, and then, setting
his lamp on the last of the three, pushed them before
him down the tunnel towards the distillery.

Inspector Willis waited until he judged the other
would be out of sight, then left his hiding-place and
cautiously returned to the pump-room. The gauge
now showed 1125 gallons, and he noted that 125 gallons
was put up per trip. He rapidly ascended tlie steps,
passed out through the wardrobe, and regained the
bedroom. A few minutes later he was once more out
on the railway.

He had glanced at his watch in the building and found
that it was but little after ten. Benson must therefore
have returned by an earlier train than usual. Again
the inspector congratulated himself that events had
turned out as they had, for though he would have had
no fear for his personal safety had he been seen, prema-
ture discovery might have flowed the other members
of the gang to escape.

The last train for Hull having left, he started to
walk the six miles to the city. The weather had still
further changed for the worse, and now half a gale of
wind whirled round him in a pandemonium of sound
and blew blinding squalls of rain into his eyes. In a

THE SECRET OF THE SYNDICATE 233

few moments he was soaked to the skin, and the buffeting
of the wind made his progress slow. But he struggled
on, too well pleased by the success of his evening's
work to mind the discomfort.

And as he considered the affair on the following
morning he felt even more satisfied. He had indeed
done well I Not only had he completed what he set
out to do — to discover the murderer of Cobum — ^but
he had accomplished vastJv' more. He had brought to
light one of the greatest smuggling conspiracies of
modem times. It was true he !xad not followed up
and completed the case against the syndicate, but this
was not his business. Smuggling vras not dealt with
by Scotland Yard. It was a matter for the Customs
Department. But if only it had been forged notes 1
He heaved a sigh as he thought of the kudos wliich
might have been his.

But when he had gone so far, he thought he might
as well make certain that the brandy was discharged
as he imagined. He calculated that the Girondin would
reach Ferriby on the following day, and he determined
to see the op ’^ation carried out.

He followed the plan of Hilliard and Merriman to
the extent of hiring a boat in Hull and sculling gently
down to warns the wharf as dusk fell. He had kept a
watch on the river all day without seeing the motor
ship go up, but now she passed him a couple of miles
above the city. He turned inshore when he saw her
coming, lest Captain Beamish's binoculars might
reveal to him a familiar countenance.

He pulled easily, timing himself to arrive at the
wharf as soon as possible after dark. The evening was
dry, but the south-easterly wind still blew cold and
raw, though not nearly so strongly as on the night of
his walk.

There were a couple of lights on the Girondin^ and
he steered by these till the dark mass of her counter,
looming up out of the night, cut them off. Slipping
round her stem, as Hilliard had done in the River

234 the PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

Lesque, he unshipped his oars and guided the boat by
his hands into the V-shaped space between the two rows
of piles fronting the wharf. As he floated gently forward
he felt between the horizontal props wlflch held back
the filling until he came to a vacant space, then knowing
he was opposite the cellar, he slid the boat back a few
feet, tied her up, and settled down to wait.

Though sheltered from the wind by the hull, it was
cold and damp under the wharf. The waves were
lapping among the timbers, and the boat moved uneasily
at the end of her short painter. The darkness was
absolute — an inky blackness unrelieved by any point
of light. Willis realised that waiting would soon become
irksome.

But it was not so very long before the work began.
He had been there, he estimated, a couple of hours
when he saw, not ten feet away, a dim circle of light
suddenly appear on the Girondin's side. Some one had
turned on a faint light in a cabin whose open porthole
was immediately opposite the cellar. Presently Willis,
watching breathlessly, saw what he believed was the
steel pipe impinge on and enter the illuminated ring.
It remained projecting into the porthole for some forty
minutes, was as silently withdrawn, the porthole- was
closed, a curtain drawn across it, and the light turned
up within. The brandy had been discharged.

The thing had been done inaudibly, and invisibly to
any one on either wharf or ship. Marvelling once more
at the excellence and secrecy of the plan, Willis gently
pushed his boat out from among the piles and rowed
back down the river to Hull. There he tied the boat
up, and returning to his hotel, was soon fast asleep.

In spite of his delight at the discovery, he could not
but realise that much still remained to be done. Though
he had learned how the syndicate was making its
money, he had not obtained any evidence of the com-
plicity of its members in the murder of Coburn.

Who, in addition to Archer, could be involved ?
There were, of course, Beamish, Bulla, Benson and Henri.

THE SECRET OF THE SYNDICATE 235

There was also a man, Morton, whose place in the
scheme of things ! ad not yet been ascertained. He,
Wilhs realised, must be found and identified. But
were these all ? He doubted it. It seemed to him tha^
the smuggling system required more helpers than these.
He now understood how the brandy was got from the
ship to the distillery, and he presumed it was loaded at
the clearing in the same manner, being brought there
in some unknown way by the motor lorries. But there
were two parts of the plan of which nothing was yet
known. Firstly, where was the brandy obtained from
ouginally, and, secondly, how was it distributed from
the distillery ? It seemed to Willis that each of these
operations would require additional accomplices. And
if so, these persons might also have been implicated
in Coburn's death.

He thought over the thing for three solid hours
before coming to a decision. At the end of that time
he determined to return to London and, if his chief
approved, lay the whole facts before the Customs
Departments of both England and France, asking
them to investigate the matter in their respective
countries. In the meantime he would concentrate on
the question of complicity in the murder.

lie left Hull by an afternoon train, and that night
w^as in London.

CHAPTER XVII

** ARCHER PLANTS STUFF"'

Willis's chief at the Yard was not a little impressed
by his subordinate's story. He congratulated the
inspector on his discovery, commended him for his
restraint in withholding action against Archer until
he had identified his accomplices, and approved his
proposals for the further conduct of the case. Fortified
by this somewhat unexpected approbation, Willis be-
took himself forthwith to the headquarters of the
Customs Department and asked to see Hilliard.

The two men were already acquainted. As has been
stated, the inspector had early called at Hilliard's
rooms and learned all that the other could tell him of
the case. But for prudential reasons they had not
met since.

Hilliard was tremendously excited by the inspector's
news, and eagerly arranged the interview with his chief
which Willis sought. The great man was not engaged,
and in a few minutes the others were shown into his
presence.

" We are here, sir," Willis began, when the necessary
introductions had been made, " to tell you jointly a
very remarkable story. Mr. Hilliard would doubtless
have told you his part long before this, had I not
specially asked him not to. Now, sir, the time has come
to put the facts before you. Perhaps as Mr. Hilliard's
story comes before mine in point of time, he should
begin."

Hilliard thereupon began. He told of Merriman's
story in the Rovers' Club, his own idea of smuggling
based on the absence of return cargoes, his proposition
236

•'ARCHER PLANTS STUFF'' 237

to Mcrriman, their trip to France and what they learned
at the clearing. Tnen he described their visit to Hull,
their observations at the Ferriby wharf, the experiment
carried out with the help of Leatham, and, finally, what
Merriman had told him of his second visit to Bordeaux.

Willis next took up the tale and described the murder
of Cobum, his inquiries thereinto and identification
of the assassin, and his subsequent discoveries at
Ferriby, ending up by stating the problem which still
confronted him, and expressing the hope that the chief
in dealing with the smuggling conspiracy would co-
operate with him in connection with the murder.

The latter had listened with an expression of amaze-
ment, which towards the end of the inspector's statement
changed to one of the liveliest satisfaction. He grace-
fully congratulated both men on their achievements,
and expressed his gratification at what had been
discovered and his desire to co-operate to the full with
the inspector in the settling up of the case.

The three men then turned to details. To Hilliard's
bitter disappointment it was ruled that, owing to his
being known to at least three members of the gang,
he could take no part in the final scenes, and he had to
be content v/ith the honour of, as it were, a seat on the
council of war. Foi nearly an hour they deliberated,
at the end of which time it had been decided that
Stopford Hunt, one of the Customs Department's most
skilful investigators, should proceed to Hull and tackle
the question of the distribution of the brandy. Willis
was to go to Paris, interest the French authorities in
the Bordeaux end of the affair, and then join Hunt
in Hull.

Stopford Hunt was an insignificant looking man of
about forty. All his characteristics might be described
as being of medium quality. He was five feet nine in
height, his brown hair was neither fair nor dark, his
dress suggested neither poverty nor opulence, and his
features were of the type known as ordinary. In a
word, he was not one whose appearance would provoke

238 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

a second glance, or who would be credited with taking
an important part in anything that might be in progress.

But for his job these very peculiarities were among
his chief assets. When he hung about in an aimless,
loafing way, as he very often did, he was overlooked by
those whose actions he was so discreetly watching,
and where mere loafing would look suspicious, he had
the inestimable gift of being able to waste time in an
affaire and preoccupied manner.

That night Willis crossed to Paris, and next day
he told his story to the polite chief of the French Excise.
M. Max was almost as interested as his English confrere,
and readily promised to have the French end of the
affair investigated. That same evening the inspector
left for London, going on in the morning to Hull.

He found Hunt a shrewd and capable man of the
world, as weU as a pleasant and interesting companion.

They had engaged a private sitting-room at their
hotel, and after dinner they retired thither to discuss
their plan of campaign.

I wish,*' said Willis, when they had talked for some
moments, “ that you would tell me something about
how this liquor distribution business is worked. It's
outside my job, and I'm not clear on the details. If
I understood I could perhaps help you better."

Hunt nodded and drew slowly at his pipe.

" The principle of the thing," he answered, " is
simple enough, though in detail it becomes a bit com-
plicated. The first thing we have to remember is that
in this case we're dealing, not with distillers, but with
rectifiers. Though in loose popular phraseology both
businesses are classed under the terfh ‘distilling,' in
reality there is a considerable difference between them.
Distillers actually produce the spirit in their buildings,
rectifiers do not. Rectifiers import the spirit produced
by distillers, and refine or prepare it for various specified
purposes. The check required by the Excise authorities
is therefore different in each case. With rectifiers it
is only necessary to measure the stuff that goes into

''ARCHER PLANTS STUFF”

^39

and comes out of the works. Making due allowance
for variation duri ig treatment, these two figures will
balance if all is right.”

Willis nodded, and Hunt resumed.

“ Now, the essence of all fraud is that more stuff
goes out of the works than is saown on the returns.
That is, of course, another way of saying that stuff is
sold upon which duty has n^ t been paid. In the case
of a rectifying house, where there is no illicit still, more
also comes in than is shown. In the present instance
5"ou yourself have shown how the extra brandy enters.
Our job is to find out how it leaves.”

‘ ' That part of it is clear enough SLayway/* Willis
said, with a smile. ” But brandy smuggling is not new.
There must surely be recognised ways of evading the
law ? ”

” Quite. There are. But to follow then: you must
understand how the output is measured. For every
consigranent of stuff that leaves the works a permit
or Cl Tti^cate is issued and handed to the carrier who
removes it. This is a kind of waybill, and of course a
block is kept for the inspection of the surveying officer.
It contains a note of the quantity of stuff, date and
hour of starting, consignee's name and other information,
and it is the authority for the carrier to have the liquor
in liis possession. An Excise officer may stop and
examine any dray or lorry carrying liquor, or railway
wagon, and the driver or other official must produce
his certificate so that his load may be checked by it.
All such, what I may call surprise examinations, together -
with the signature of the officer making them, are
recorded on the back of the certificate. When the stuff
is delivered, the certificate is handed over with it to
the consignee. He signs it on receipt. It then becomes
his authority for having the stuff on his premises, and
he must keep it for the Excise ofi&cer's inspection.
Do you follow me so far ? ”

” Perfectly.”

” The fraud, then, consists in getting more liquor

240 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

away from the works than is shown on the certificates,
and I must confess it is not easy. The commonest
method, I should think, is to fill the kegs or receptacles
slightly fuller than the certificate shows. This is some-
times done simply by putting extra stuff in the ordinary
kegs. It is argued that an Excise officer cannot by his
eye tell a difference of five or six per cent. ; that, for
example, twenty-six gallons might be supplied on a
twenty-five gallon certificate without any one being
much the wiser. Variants of this method are to use
slightly larger kegs, or, more subtly, to use normal
sized kegs of which the wood at the ends has been
thinned down, and which therefore when filled to the
same level hold more, while showing the same measure
with a dipping rod. But all these methods are risky.
On the slightest suspicion the contents of the kegs are
measured and the fraud becomes revealed.'*

Willis, much interested, bent forward eagerly as the
other, after a pause to relight his pipe, continued : —

“ Another common method is to send out liquor
secretly, without a permit at all. This may be done
at night, or the stufi may go through an underground
pipe, or be hidden in innocent looking articles
such as suitcases or petrol tins. The pipe is the best
scheme from the operator's point of view, and one
may remain undiscovered for months, but the dififtcuity
usually is to lay it in the first instance.

“ A third method can be used only in the case of
rectifiers, and it illustrates one of the differences between
rectifiers and distillers. Every permit for the removal
of liquor from a distillery must be issued by the Excise
surveyor of the district, whereas rectifiers can issue
their own certificates. Therefore in the case of rectifiers
there is the possibility of the issuing of forged or
fraudulent certificates. Of course this is not so easy
as it sounds. The certificates are supplied in boofe
of two hundred by the Excise authorities, and the
blocks must be kept available for the supervisor's
scrutiny. Any certificates can be obtained from the

"ARCHER PLANTS STUFF'* 24X

receivers of the spirit, and compared with the blocks.
Forged permits are ^'ery risky things to work with, as
all genuine ones bear the government watermark, which
is not easy to reproduce. In fact, I may say about this
whole question of liquor distribution generally, that
fraud has been made so difficult th it the only hope of
those committing it is to avoid arousing suspicion.
Once suspicion is aroused, discovery follows almost as
a matter of course."

" That's hopeful for us," Willis smil^^d.

" Yes," the other answered, " tnough I fancy this
case will be more difficult than most. There is another
point to be taken into consideration which I have not
mentioned, and that is, how the perpetrators of the
fraud are going to get their money. In the last resort
it can only come in from the public over the counters
of the licensed premises which sell the smuggled spirits.
But just as the smuggled liquor cannot be put through
the books of the house selling it, so the money received
for it cannot be entered either. This means that
some one in authority in each licensed pouse must be
involved. It aiso carries with it a suggestion, though
only a suggestion, that the houses in question are tied
houses. The director of a distillery company would
have more hold on the manager of one of their own
tied houses than over an outsider."

Again Willis nodded without replying, and Hunt
went on : —

" Now it happens that these Ackroyd & Holt people
own some very large licensed houses in Hull, and it is
to them, I imagine, that we should first direct our
attention."

" How do you propose to begin ? "

" I think we must first find out how the Ferriby
liquor is sent to these houses. By the way, you probably
know that already. You watched the distillery during
working hours, didn't you ? "

The inspector admitted it.

" Did you see any lorries ? "

242 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

“Any number; large blue machines. I noticed
them going and coming in the Hull direction loaded up
with barrels."

Hunt seemed pleased.

“ Good," he commended. “ That's a beginning any-
way. Our next step must be to make sure that all
these lorries carry certificates. We had better begin
to-morrow."

Willis did not quite see how the business was to be
done, but he forbore to ask questions, agreeing to fall
in with his companion's arrangements.

These arrangements involved the departure from their
hotel by taxi at six o’clock the next morning. It was
not fully light as they whirled out along the Ferriby
road, but the sky was clear and all the indications
pointed to a fine day.

They dismounted at the end of the lane leading to
the works, and struck off across the fields, finally taking
up their position behind the same thick hedge from
which Willis ^ad previously kept watch.

They spent-fthe whole of that day, as well as of the
next two, in 'heir hiding-place, and at the end of that
time they had a complete list of all lorries that entered
or left the establishment during the period. No vehicles
other than blue lorries appeared, and Hunt expressed
himself as satisfied that if the smuggled brand}^ was
not carried by them it must go either by rail or at
night.

“ We can go into those other contingencies later if
necessary," he said, “ but on the face of it I am in-
clined to back the lorries. They supply the tied houses
in Hull, which would seem the obvious places for the
brandy to go, and, besides, railway transit is too well
looked after to attract the gang. I think we'll follow
tliis lorry business through first on spec."

“ I suppose you'll compare the certificate blocks
with the list we have just made ? " Willis asked.

" Of course. That will show if all carry certificates.
But I don't want to do that yet. Before alarming

ARCHER PLANTS STUFF” 243

them I want to examine the contents of a few of the
lorries. I think we might do that to-morrow.”

The next morning, therefore, the two detectives
again engaged a ^axi and ran out along the Ferriby
road until the}' met a large blue lorry loaded with
barrels and bearing on its side the legend ” Ackroyd &
Holt, Ltd., Licensed Rectifiers.” When it had lumbered
past on its way to the cit3^ Hunt called to the driver
and ordered him to follov it.

The chase led to the heart of the town, ending in a
street which ran parallel to the Humber Dock. There
the big machine turned into an entry.

‘‘The Anchor Bar,** Hunt said, in satisfied tones.
“ We*re in luck. It*s one of the largest licensed houses
in Hull.**

He jumped out and disappeared after the lorry,
Willis following. The vehicle had stopped in a yard at
the badi of the great public house, where were more
barrels than the inspector ever remembered having
seen together, while the smell of various liquors hung
heavy in the air. Hunt, having shown his credentials,
demanded the certificate for the consignment. This
was immediately produced by the driver, scrutinised,
and found in order. Hunt then proceeded to examine the
consignment itself, and Willis was lost in admiration at
the rapidity as well as the thoroughness of his inspection.
He tested the nature of the various liquids, measured
their receptacles, took dippings in each cask, and
otherwise satisfied himself as to quality and quantity.
Finally he had a look over the lorry, then expressing
himself satisfied, he indorsed the certificate, and with
a few civil words to the men in charge, the two detectives
took their leave.

” That*s all square anyway,” Hunt remarked, as they
re-entered their taxi. ” I suppose we may go and do
the same thing again.**

They did. Three times more on that day, and four
times on the next they followed Messrs. Ackroyd
& Holt*s lorries, in every instance with the same result.

244 the pit-prop SYNDICATE

All dght’ consignments were examined with the utmost
care, and all were found to be accurately described on
the accompan3dng certificate. The certificates them-
selves were obviously genuine, and everything about
them, so far as Hunt could see, was in order.

Doesn’t look as if we were going to get it that
way," he commented, as late that second evening they
sat once more discussing matters in their private
sitting-room.

" Don’t you think we have frightened them into
honesty by our persistence ? ’’ Willis queried.

" No doubt," the other returned. " But that couldn’t
apply to the first few trips. They couldn’t possibly
have foretold that we should examine those consign-
ments yesterday, and to-day I expect they thought
their visitation was over. But we have worked it as
far as it will go. We shall have to change our
methods."

The inspector looked his question and Hunt con-
tinued : —

" I think to-morrow I had better go out to the works
and have a look over those certificate blocks. But I
wonder if it would be well for you to come ? Archer
has seen you in that hotel lounge, and at all events he
has your description."

" I shall not go," Willis decided. " See you when
you get back."

Hunt, after showing his credentials, was received
with civility at Messrs. Ackroyd & Holt’s. When he
had completed the usual examination of the stills and
apparatus he asked for certain books. He took them
to a desk, and sitting down, began to study the certificate
blocks.

His first care was to compare the list of outward
lorries which he and Willis had made with the blocks
for the same period. A short investigation convinced
him that here also everything was in order. There was
a certificate for every lorry which had passed out,
and not only so, but the number of the lorry, the day

"ARCHER PLANTS STUFF” 245

and hour at which it left and the load were all correct
so far as his observ'itions had enabled him to check
them. It was clear that here also he had drawn blatik,
and for the fiftieth time he wondered with a sort of
rueful admiration how the fraud was being worked.

He was idly turning over the let^ves of the blocks,
gazing vacantly at the Unes of writing while he pondered
his problem, when his attention was attracted to a
slight difference of colour in the ink of an entiy on one
of the blocks. The cons^iiment was a mixed one,
containing different kinds of spiri^aous liquors. The
lowest entry was for three twenty-five gallon kegs of
French brandy. This entry was slightly paler than the
remainder.

At first Hunt did not give the matter serious thought.
The page had evidently been blotted while the ink was
wet, and the lower items should therefore naturally be
the fainter. But as he looked more closely he saw that
this explanation would not quite meet the case. It
was true that the lower two or three items above that
of the brandy grew gradually paler in pioportion to
their position d.^wn the sheet, and to this rule Archer's
signature at the bottom was no exception. In these
Hunt could trace the gradual fading of colour due to
the use of bh^tting paper. But he now saw that this
did not apply to the brandy entry. It was the palest
of all — paler even than Archer's name, which was below
it.

He sat staring at the sheet, whistling softly through
his teeth and with his brow puckered into a frown, as
he wondered whether the obvious suggestion that the
brandy item had been added after the sheet had been
completed, was a sound deduction. He could think of
no other explanation, but he was loath to form a definite
opinion on such slight evidence.

He turned back through the blocks to see if they
contained other similar instances, and as he did so his
inter^t grew. Quite a number of the pages referring
to mixed consignments had for their last item kegs of

THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

946

French brandy. He scrutinised these entries with
the utmost care. A few seemed normal enough, but
others showed indications which strengthened his
suspicions. In three more the ink was undoubtedly
paler than on the remainder of the sheet, in five it was
darker, while in several others the handwriting appeared
slightly different — ^more upright, more sloping, more
heavily or more lightly leant on. When Hunt had
examined all the instances he could find stretching over
a period of three months, he was convinced that his
deduction was correct. The brandy items had been
written at a different time from the remainder, and
this could only mean that they had been added after
the certificate was complete.

His interest at last keenly aroused, he began to make
an analysis of the blocks in question in the hope of
finding some other peculiarity common to them which'
might indicate the direction in which the solution
might lie.

And first as to the consignees. Ackroyd & Holt
evidently supplied a very large number of licensed
houses, but of these the names of only five appeared on
the doubtful blocks. But these five were confined to
houses in Hull, and each was a large and important
concern.

“ So far, so good,” thought Hunt, with satisfaction.
” If they’re not planting their stuff in those five houses,
Tm a Dutchman ! ”

He turned back to the blocks and once again went
through them. This time he made an even more
suggestive discovery. Only one lorry-man was con-
cerned in the transport of the doubtful consignments.
All the lorries in question had been in charge of a driver
called Charles Fox.

Hunt remembered the man. He had driven three
of the eight lorries Hunt had himself examined, and
he had been most civil when stopped, giving the in-
vestigator all possible assistance in making his inspection.
Nor had he at any time betrayed embarrassment. And

ARCHER PLANTS STUFF” 247

now it seemed not improbable that this same man
was one of those c mcemed in the fraud.

Hunt applied himself once again to a study of the
blocks, and then he made a third discovery, which,
though he could not at first see its drift, struck him
nevertheless as being of importance. He found that
the faked block was always one of a pair. Witliin a
few pages either in front of behind it was another
block containing particulars of a similar consignment,
identical, in fact, except that the brandy item was
n^issing.

Hunt was puzzled. That he was on the trac^' of the
fraud he could not but believe, but he could form no
idea as to how it was worked. If he were right so far,
the blocks had been made out in facsimile in the first
instance, and later the brandy item had been added to
one of each pair. Why ? He could not guess.

He continued his examination, and soon another
interesting fact became apparent. Though consignments
left the ‘”orks at all hours of the day, those referred to
by the first one of each pair of blocks had all been
sent out between the hours of one and two in the
afternoon, and those referred to by the second between
the hours of four and five. Further, the number of
minutes past one and past four were always identical
on each pair. That showing the brandy item was
nearly always the later of the two, but occasionally the
stuff had gone with the one o'clock trip.

Hunt sat in the small office, of which he had been given
imdistuibed possession, pondering over his problem
and trying to marshal the facts he had learnt in such a
way as to extract their inner meaning. As far as he
could follow them they seemed to show that three times
each day driver Charles Fox took a loiry of various
liquors into Hull. The first trip was irregular, that is,
he left at anything between seven-thirty and ten-
tffirty a.m., and his objective extended over the entire
city. The remaining two trips were regular. Of these
the first always left between one and two and the

248 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

second the same number of minutes past four ; both
were invariably to the same one of the five large tied
houses already mentioned ; the load of each was
always identical except that one— generally the second
— had some kegs of brandy additional, and, lastly, the
note of this extra brandy appeared always to have
been added to the certificate after the latter had been
made out.

Hunt could make nothing of it. In the evening he
described his discoveries to Willis, and the two men
discussed the affair exhaustively, though stiU without
result.

That night Hunt could not sleep. He lay tossing
from side to side and racking his brains to find a solution.
He felt subconsciously that it was within his reach, and
yet he could not grasp it.

It was not far from dawn when a sudden idea flashed
into his mind, and he lay thrilled with excitement as
he wondered if at last he held the clue to the mystery.
He went over the details in his mind, and the more he
thought over his theory the more likely it sepmed to
grow.

But how was he to test it ? Daylight had come
before he saw his way ; but at last he was sati;,fied,
and at breakfast he told Willis his idea and asked his
help to carry out his plan.

** You’re not a photographer, by any chance?" he
asked.

" Fm not Ai, but I dabble a bit at it."

“ Good. That will save some trouble.”

They called at a photographic outfitters, and there,
after making a deposit, succeeded in hiring two large-
size Kodaks for the day. With these and a set of
climbing irons they drove out along the Ferriby road,
arriving at the end of the lane to the works shortly
after midday. There they dismissed their taxi.

As soon as they were alone their actions became
somewhat bewildering to the uninitiated. Along one
side of the road ran a seven-foot wall bounding the

« ARCHER PLANTS STUFf'*

349

plantation of a lar^ villa. Over this Willis, with the
help of his Wend, clambered. With some loose stones
he built himself a footing at the back, so that he could
just look over th^' top. Then, having focussed his
camera for the middle of the road, he retired into
obscurity behind his defences.

His friend settled to his satisfaction, Hunt buckled
on the climbing irons, and ^'rosslng the road, proceeded
to climb a telegraph pole which stood opposite the
lane. He fixed his camera to the lower wires — carefully
avoiding possible short-circuitings — and having focussed
it for the centre of the road, pulled a pair of plie^ s from
his pocket and endeavoured to simulate the actions
of a lineman at work. By the time these preparations
were complete it was close on one o'clock.

Some half-hour later a large blue lorry came in
sight bearing down along the lane. Presently Hunt
was able to see that the driver was Fox. He made a
prearranged sign to his accomplice behind the wall,
and the J.^tter, camera in hand, stood up and peeped
over. As the big vehicle swung slowly round into the
main road both men from their respective positions
photographed it. Hunt indeed, rapidly changing the
film, took a second view as the machine retreated
down the, road towards Hull.

When it was out of sight, Hunt descended and with
some difficulty climbed the wall to his colleague. There
in the shade of the thi^k belt of trees both men lay
down and smoked peacefully until nearly four o'clock.
Then once more they took up their respective positions,
watched until about half an hour later the lorry again
passed out, and photographed it precisely as before.
That done, they walked to Hessle station, and took the
first train to Hull.

By dint of backsheesh they persuaded the photo-
grapher to develop the films there and then, and that
same evening they had the six prints.

As it happened they turned out exceedingly good
photographs. The definition was excellent, and each
P.P.S. R

250 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

view included the whole of the lorry. The friends
found, as Hunt had hoped and intended, that owing
to the height from which the views had been taken,
each several keg of the load showed out distinctly.
They counted them. Each picture showed seventeen.

** You see ? cried Hunt triumphantly. " The same
amount of stuff went out on each load I We shall have
them now, Willis !

Next day Hunt returned to the Ferriby works osten-
sibly to continue his routine inspection. But in three
minutes he had seen what he wanted. Taking the
certificate book, he looked up the blocks of the two
consignments they had photographed, and he could
have laughed aloud in his exultation as he saw that
what he had suspected was indeed the fact. The two
certificates were identical except that to the second
an item of four kegs of French brandy had been added I
Hunt counted the barrels. The first certificate showed
thirteen and the last seventeen.

“ Four kegs of brandy smuggled out under our noses
yesterday,** he thought delightedly. “ By Jove ! but
it*s a clever trick. Now to test the next point."

He made an excuse for leaving the works, and re-
turning to Hull, called at the licensed houSe to which
the previous afternoon*s consignment had })een
despatched. There he asked to see the certificates of
the two trips. On seeing his credentials these were
handed up without demur, and he withdrew with them
to his hotel.

** Come,** he cried to Willis, who was reading in the
lounge, ** and see the final act in the drama.**

They retired to their private room, and there Hunt
spread the two certificates on the table. Both men
stared at them, and Hunt gave vent to a grunt of
satisfaction.

" I was right,'* he cried delightedly. " Look there 1
Why, I can see it with the n^ed eye I **

The two certificates were an accurate copy of their
blocks. They were dated correctly, both bore Fox's

''ARCHER PLANTS STUFF** 231

name as driver, and both showed consignments of
liquor, identical "xcept for the additional four kegs of
brandy on the second. There was, furthermore, no
sign that this had been added after the remainder.
The slight lightening in the colour towards the bottom
of the sheet, due to the use of blotting paper, was so
progressive as almost to prove the whole had been
wntten at the same time.

The first certificate was timed 1.15 p,m,, the second
4.15 p.m., and it was to the 4 of thi''. second hour that
Hunt's eager finger pointed. As Willis examined it
be saw that the lower two strokes were fainter than the
remainder. Further, the beginning of the horizontal
stroke did not quite join the first vertical stroke.

'' You see ? " Hunt cried excitedly. " That figure
is a forge^J^ It was originally a i, and the two lower
strokes have been added to make it a 4. The case is
finished ! "

Willis was less enthusiastic.

" Tn not so sure of that," he returned cautiously.
" I don't see light all the way through. Just go over
it again, win you ? "

“Why to me it’s as dear as daylight," the other
asseited impatiently. “See here. Archer decides,
let us suppose, that he will send out four kegs, or one
hundred gallons, of the smuggled brandy to the Anchor
Bar. What does he do ? He fills out certificates for
two consignments each of which contain an identical
assortment of various liquors. The brandy he shows
on one certificate only. The blocks are true copies of
the certificates except that the brandy is not entered
on either. The two blocks he times for a quarter past
one and past four respectively, but both certificates
he times for a quarter past one. He hands the two
certificates to Fox. Then he sends out on the one
o'clock lorry the amount of brandy shown on one of
the certificates."

Hunt paused and looked interrogatively at his
friend, then, the latter not replying, he resumed : —

25a THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

“You follow now ^ position of aSairs? In the
office is Ardier with his blocks, correctly filled out aS
to time, but neither showing the brandy. On the
one o'clock lorry is Fox, with one hundred^gallons of
brandy among his load. In his pocket arS the two
certificates, both timed for one o’clock, one showing
the brandy-and the other not.”

The inspector nodded as Himt again looked at
him.

“ Now suppose," the lattar went on, ” that the one
o’clock lorry gets through to its destination undiallenged,
and the stuff is unloaded. The manager arranges that the
four of brandy will disappear. He takes over the
certificate which does not show brandy, si^ it, and
the transaction is complete. Ever3rthing is in order,
and he has got his four kegs smuggled in."

“Good," Willis interjected.

“ On the other hand, suppose the one o’clock trip is
held up by an exciseman. This time Fox produces
the other certificate, the one which shows the brandy.
Once again everything is in order, and the Excise
officer is satisfied. It is true that on this occasion Fox
has been unable to smuggle out his brandy, and on that
which he carries duty must be paid, but this rare con-
tingency will not matter to him as long as his melho<i
of fraud remains concealed."

" Seems very soimd so far.”

“ I think so. Let us now consider the four o’clock
trip. Fox arrives back at the works with one of the
two certificates still in his pocket, and the make up of
his four o’clock load depends on which that is. He
attempts no more smuggling that day. If his remaining
certificate shows brandy he carries brandy, if not, he
leaves it behind. In either case his certificate is in
order if an Excise officer holds him up. 'That is, when
he has attended to one little point. He has to add two
strokes to the z of the hour to make it into a 4. The
ease of doing this explains why these two hours were
chosen. Is that all dear ? "

•• ARCHER PLANTS STUFF ^ i?53

** Clear, indeed, except for theme points of how, the
brtody 4tOT is added to the correct block/'

. '' Obviously Archer does that as soon as he learns

how the first trip ha*^ got on. If the brandy was smuggled
out on the first trip, it means that Fox is holding the
brandy bearing certificate for the second, and Archer
enters brandy on his second block. If, on the contrary,
Fox Las had his first load exandned, Archer will make
his entry on the first block."

" The scheme," Willis declared, " really means this.
If Archer wants to smuggle out one hundred gallons of
brandy, he has to send out another hundred legitimately
on tlie same day ? If he can manage to send out bwx)
hundred altogether then one hundred will be duty
clear, but in any case he must pay on one hundred ? '' .

" That's right. It works out like that."

" It's a great scheme. The only weak point that . I
can see is that an Excise officer who has held up one of
the trips might visit the works and look at the certificate
block befe re Archer gets it altered."

Hunt nodded.

" I thought ot that," he said, " and it can be met
quite easily. I bet the manager telephones Archer on
receipt of the stuff. I am going into that now. I shall
have a note kept at the Central of conversations to
Ferriby. If Archer doesn't get a message by a certain
time, I bet he assumes the plan has miscarried for that
day and fills in the brandy on the first block."

During the next two days Hunt was able to establish
the truth of his surmise. At the same time Willis
decided that his co-operation in the work at Hull was
no longer needed. For Hunt there was still plenty to
be done. He had to get direct evidence against each
Severny of the managers of the five tied houses in
question, as well as to ascertain how and to whom they
were passing on the " stuff," for that they were receiving
more brandy than could be sold over their own counters
was unquestionable. But he agreed with Willis that
these five men were more than likely in ignorance of

*54 the PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

the main conspiracy, each having only a private under-
stan(hng with Archer. But whe&er or not this was so,
Willis did not believe he could get any evidence that
they were implicated in the murder of Cobum.

The French end of the affair, he thought, the supply
of the brandy in the first instance, was more promising
from this point of view, and next morning he took an
early train to London as a preliminary to starting work
in France.

CHAPTER XVill

THE BORDEAUX LORRIES

Two days later Inspector Willis sat once again in the
office of M, Max, the head of the x'rench Excise Depart-
ment in Paris. The Frenchman greeted him politely,
but without enthusiasm.

" Ah, monsieur," he said. " You have not received
my letter ? No ? I wrote to your department
yesterday."

" It hadn't come, sir, when I left," Willis returned.
" But perhaps if it is something I should know, you
could iell me the contents? "

" But certainly, monsieur. It is easily done. A
thousand regrets, but I fear my department will not
be of much service to you."

" No, sir ? " Willis looked his question.

" I fear not. But I shall explain." M. Max gesti-
culated as he talked. " After your last visit here I
send two of my men to Bordeaux. They make examina-
tion, but at first they see nothing suspicious. When
the Girondin comes in they determine to test your idea
of the brandy loading. They go in a boat to the wharf
at night. They pull in between the rows of piles. They
find the spaces between the tree trunks which you
have described. They know there must be a cellar
behind. They hide close by ; they see the porthole
lighted up; they watch the pipe go in, all exactly as
you have said. There can be no doubt brandy is secretly
loaded at the Lesque."

I' It seemed the likely thing, sir," Willis commented.

" Ah, but it was good to think of. I wish to con-
gratulate you on finding it out." M. Max made a little

255

256 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

bow. But to continue. My men wonder how the
brandy reaches the saw-mill. Soon they think that
the lorries must bring it. They think so for two reasons.
First, they can find no other way. The lorries are the
only vehicles which approach ; nothing goes by water ;
there cannot be a tunnel, because there is no place for
the other end. There remains only the lorries. Second,
they think it is the lorries because the drivers change
the numbers. It is suspicious, is it not ? Yes ? You
imderstand me ?

“ Perfectly, sir."

" Good. My men then watch the lorries. They get
help from the police at Bordeaux. They find the fire-
wood trade is a nothing." M. Max shrugged his shoulders.
" There are five firms to which the lorries go, and of

the five, four " His gesture indicated a despair

too deep for words. " To serve them, it is but a blind ;
so my men think. But the fifth firm, it is that of
Raymond Fils, one of the biggest distilleries of Bordeaux.
That Raymond Fils are sending out the brandy suggests
itself to my men. At last the affair marches." *

M. Max paused, and Willis bowed to signify his
appreciation of the point.

" My men visit Raymond Fils, They search — into
everything. They find the law is not broken. All is
in order. They are satisfied."

" But, sir, if these people are smuggling brandy into

England " Willis was beginning when the othei'

interrupted him.

" But yes, monsieur, I grasp your point. I speak of
French law ; it is different from yours. Here duty
is not charged on just so much spirit as is distilled.
We grant the distiller a licence, and it allows him to
distil any quantity up to Uie figure the licence bears.
But, monsieur, Raymond Fils are— how do you say
it ?— well within their limit ; is it not ? Yes ? They
do not break the Frenqh law."

"Therefore, sir, you mean that you cannot help
further ? "

257

THE BORDEAUX WRRIES

M. Max spread out his hands deprecatingly.

" Mv dear monsieu.', what would you ? I have done
my best for 3^u. I make inquiries. The matter is not
for me. With the most exc^ent wish to assist, what
more can I ? ”

Willis, realising he could get no more, rose.

“Nothing, sir, except to accept on my own part
and that of my department our hearty thanks for 'ahat
you have done. I can assure you, sir, I quite under-
stand youi' position, and I greatly appreciate your
kindness."

M. Max also had risen. He politely repeated his
regrets, and with mutual compliments the two men
parted.

Willis had once spent a holiday in Paris, and he was
slightly acquaiiited with the city. He strolled on
through the busy streets, brilliant in the pale autumn
sunlight, until he reached the Grands Boulevards. There
entering a cafd, he sat down, called for a bock, and
settled hiiuself to consider his next step.

The position created by M. Max’s action was dis-
concerting. Wiliis felt himself stranded, literally a
stranger in a strange land, sent to carry out an investi-
gation among a people whose language he could not
even speak I He saw at once that his task was impossible.
He must have local help or he could proceed no further.

He thought of his own department. The Excise
had failed him. What about the Surety ?

But a very little tliought convinced him that he was
even less likely to obtain help from this quarter. He
could only base an appeal on the possibDity of a future
charge of conspiracy to murder, and he realised that
the evidence for such was too slight to put forward
seriously.

What was to be done ? So far as he could see, but
one thing. He must employ a private detective. This
plan would meet the lang;uage difficulty by which he
was so completely himg up.

He went to a c^ office and got his chief at the Yard

258 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

on the long distance wire. The latter approved his
suggestion, and recommended M. Jules Laroche of the
Rue du Sommerard near the Sorboime. Half an hour
later Willis reached the house.

M. Laroche proved to be a tall, unobtrusive looking
man of some five-and-forty, who had lived in London
for some years and spoke as good English as Willis
himself. He listened quietly and without much apparent
interest to what his visitor had to tell him, then said
he would be glad to take on the job.

“ We had better go to Bordeaux this evening, so as
to start fresh to-morrow,*' Willis suggested.

'*Two o'clock at the d'Orsay station," the other
returned. " We have just time. We can settle our
plans in the train."

They reached the St. Jean station at Bordeaux at
10.35 fliSLt night, and drove to the Hotel d'Espagne,
They had decided that they could do nothing until
the following evening, when they would go out to the
clearing and see what a search of the mill premises
might reveal.

Next morning Laroche vanished, saying he had friends
in the town whom he wished to look up, and it was
dose on dinner-time before he put in an appearance.

" I have got some information that may help," he
said, as Willis greeted him. "Though Fm not con-
nected with the official force, we are very good friends
and have often worked into each other's hands. I
happen to know one of the officers of the local police,
and he got me the information. It seems that a M.
Pierre Raymond is practically the owner of Raymond
Fils, the distillers you mentioned. He is a man of
about thirty, and the son of one of the original brothers.
He was at one time comfortably off, and lived in a
pleasant villa in the suburbs. But latterly he has been
going the pace, and within the last two years he let
his villa and lx)ught a tiny house next door to the
distillery, where he is now living. It is believed his
money went at Monte Carlo, indeed it seems he is a

THE BORDEAUX LORRIES 259

wrong 'un all round At all events he is fcnovm to be
hard up now/*

“ And you think he moved in so that he could load
up that brandy at night ? **

“ That*t what I think/* Laroche admitted. You
see, there is the motive for it as well. He wouldn't
join the syndicate iinless he was in difficulties. I fancy
M. Pierre Raymond will be aj' interestmg study."

Willis nodded. The suggestion was wo^th investiga-
tion, and he congratulated himself getting hold of
so excellent a colleague as this i-aroche seemed to be.

The Frenchman during the day had hired a motor
bicycle and sidecar, and as dusk began to fall the two
men left their hotel and ran out along the Bayonne
road until they reached the Lesque. There they
hid their vehicle behind some shrubs, and reaching the
end of the lane, turned down it.

It v/as pitch dark among the trees, and they had
some difficulty in keeping the track until they reached
the cle'iring. There a quarter moon rendered objects
dimly visible, and Willis at once recognised his sur-
roundings from the description he had received from
Hilliard and Merriman.

" You see, somebody is in the manager's house," he
whispered, pointing to a light which gleamed in the
window. " If Henri has taken over Coburn's job he
may go down to the mill in the night as Cobum did.
Hadn't we better wait and see ? "

The Frenchman agreeing, they moved round the
fringe of trees at the edge of the clearing, just as Merri-
man had done on a similar occasion some seven weeks
earlier, and as they crouched in the shelter of a clump
of bushes in front of the house, they might have been
interested to know that it was from these same shrubs
that that disconsolate sentimentalist had lain dreaming
of his lady love, and from which he had witnessed her
father's stealthy journey to the mill.

It was a good deal colder to-night than on that earlier
occasion when watch was kept on the lonely house.

26a THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

The two men shivered as they drew their^^llars higher
round their necks, and crouched dovm t^^et shelter
from the bitter wind. They had resigiied^themselves
to a weary vigil, during which they dared not even
smoke.

But they had not to wait so long after all. About
ten the light went out in the window, and not five
minutes later they saw a man appear at the side door
and walk towards the mill. They could not see his
features, though Willis assumed he was Henri. Twenty
minutes later they watched him return, and then all
once more was still.

“ We had better give him an hour to get to bed,"
Willis whispered. " If he were to look out it wouldn't
do for him to see two detectives roaming about his
beloved clearing."

" We might go at eleven," Laroche proposed, and so
they did.

Keeping as much as possible in the shelter of the
bushes, they approached the mill. Willis had got a
sketch-plan of the building from Merriman, and he
moved round to the of&ce door. His bent wire proved
as efficacious with French locks as with English, and
in a few moments they stood within, with the door
shut behind them.

" Now," said Willis, carefully shading the beam of
his electric torch, "let's see those lorries first of
aU."

As has already been stated, the garage was next to
the office, and passing through the communicating door,
the two men found five of the ponderous vehicles therein.
A moment's examination of the number plates showed
that on all the machines the figures were separate from
the remainder of the lettering, being carried on small
brass plates which dropped vertically into place through
slots in the main castings. But the joint at each side
of the number was not conspicuous because similar
vertical lines were cut into the brass between each
letter of the whole legend.

THE BORDEAUX LORRIES 261

" That’s good,” Laroche observed. " Make a thing
unnoticeable multiplying it ! ’’

Of the five lorries, two were loaded with firewood
and three empty. The men moved round examining
than with th^ torches.

"Hallo,” Laroche called suddenly in a low voice,
" what have we here, Willis ? "

The inspector crossed over to the other, who was
pointing to the granolithic lloor in front of iiim. One
of the empty lorries was dose up to the ofiice wall,
and the Frenchman stood between the two. On the
floor wae three drops of some liquid.

" Can you smeU them ? " he inquired.

Willis knelt down and sniffed, then slowfy got up
again.

" Good man," he said, with a trace of exdtement in
his manner. " It's brandy right enough."

" Yes," returned the other. " Security has made
our nocturnal friend careless. The stuff must have
come from this lorry, I fancy.”

They turned to the vehide and examined it eagerly.
For some time they could see nothing remarkable, but
presently it gave up its secret. The deck was double I
Beneath it was a hollow space some six feet wide by
nine long, and not less than three inches deep. And not
only so. This hollow space was continued up under the
unusually large and wide driver's seat, save for a tiny
receptade for petrol. In a word, the whole top of the
machine was a vast secret tank.

The men began measuring and calculating, and they
soon found that no less than one hundred and Mty gallons
of liquid could be carried therein.

" One hundred and fifty gallons of brandy per trip I "
Willis ejaculated. " Lord J It’s no wonder they make it
pay.”

They next tackled the problem of how the tank was
filled and emptied, and at last their perseverance was
rewarded. Behind the left trailing whed, under the
framing, was a small hinged door about six inches

262 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

square, and fastened by a spring operated by a mock
rivet head. This being opened, revealed a cavity con-
taining a pipe connected to the tank and fitted with a
stop-cock and the half of a union coupling.

"The pipe which connects with that can't be far
away," Laroche suggested. " We might have a look
round for it."

The obvious place was the wall of the office, which
ran not more than three feet from the vehicle. It was
finished with vertical tongued and V-jointed sheeting,
and a comparatively short search revealed the loose
board the detectives were by this time expecting.
Behind it was concealed a pipe, jointed concertina-wise,
and ending in the other half of the union coupling. It
was evident the joints would allow the half coupling
to be pulled out and connected up with that on the
lorry. The pipe ran down through the floor, showing
that the lorry could be emptied by gravity.

" A good, safe scheme," Laroche commented. " Ir
I had seen that lorry a hundred times I never should
have suspected a tank. It's well designed.''

They turned to examine the other vehicles. All four
were identical in appearance with the first, but all were
strictly what they seemed, containing no secret re-
ceptacle.

" Merriman said they had six lorries," Willis remarked.
" I wonder where the sixth is."

" At the distillery, don't you think ? " the Frenchman
returned. " Those drops prove that manager fellow
has just been unloading this one. I expect he does it
every night. But if so, Ra}miond must load a vehicle
every night too."

" That’s true. We may assume the job is done every
night, because Merriman watched Cobum come down
here three nights running. It was certainly to unload
the lorry."

" Doubtless ; and he probably came at two in the
morning on account of his daughter."

"That means there are two tank lorries," Willis

THE BORDEAXJX LORRIES 263

went on, continuing his own line of thought. ** I say/
Laroche, let’s mar!^ this one so that we may know it
again."

They made tiny scratches on the paint at each comer
of the big vehicle, then Willis turned back to the office.

" I'd like to find that ceUar when we’re here," he
remarked. "We know there is a cellar, for ^hos*e
Customs men saw the Girofu^m loaded from it. We
might have a look round for the entrance."

Then ensued a search similar to that wh^ -Willis
had carried out in the depot at Berriby, exce^ that in
tliis case they found what they were Ipoking for in a
much shorter time. In the office was a flat roll-topped
desk, with the usual set of drawers at each side of a
central knee well, and when Willis found it was clamped
to the floor he felt he need go no farther. On the
ground in the knee well, and projecting out towards
the revolving chair in front, was a mat. Willis raised
it, and at once observed a joint across the boards
where in ordinary circumstances no joint should be.
He fumbled and pressed and pulled, and in a couple of
minutes he had the satisfaction of seeing the floor under
the well rise and reveal the head of a ladder leading
down into the darkness below.

" Here we are," he called softly to Laroche, who was
searching at the other side of the room.

The cellar into which the two detectives descended
was lined with timbei like that at Ferriby. Indeed
the two were identical, except that only one passage
— that under the wharf — ^led out of this one. It con-
tained a similar large tun with a pipe leading down the
passage under the wharf, on which was a pump. The
only difference was in the connection of the pipes. At
Ferriby the pump conveyed from the wharf to the tun,
here it was from the tun to the wharf. The pipe from
the garage came down through the ceiling and ran
direct into the txm. ^

The two men walked down the passage towards t?*
river. Here also the arrangement was the same

964 the pit-prop SYNDICATE

Foriby, and tbey remained only long enough for Willis
to point out to &e Frendunan how the loading apparatus
was worked.

“Wdl,” said the former, as they returned to the
office, " that’s not so bad for one day. I suppose it's
all we can do here. If we can learn as mu(± at that
ffistilleiy we diall soon have all we want.”

Laro^e pointed to a chair.

“ Sit down a moment," he invited. " I have been
thinking, over that plan we discussed in the train, of
searching the distillery at night, and I don’t like it.
There are too many people about, and we are nearly
certain to be seen. It’s quite different from working
a place like this.”

" Quite,” Willis answered rather testily. " I don’t
like it either, but what can we do ? ”

" I’ll tell you what I should do.” Laroche leaned
forward and checked his points on his fingers. ” That
lorry has just been unloaded. It’s empty now, and if
our theory is correct it will be taken to the distillery
to-morrow and left there over night to be filled up
again. Isn’t that so ? ”

Willis nodded impatiently and the other went on : —

" Now, it is clear that no one can fill up that tank
without leaving finger-prints on the pipe connections
in that secret box. Suppose we dean those surfaces
now, and suppose we come back here the night after
to-morrow, before the man here unloads, we could get
the prints of the person who filled up in the
distillery.”

" Well,” Willis asked sharply, '* and how would
that help us ? ”

"This way. To-morrow you will be an English
distiller with a forest you could get cheap near your
works. You have an idea of running your stills on wood
fires. You naturally caU to see how M. Raymond does
it, and you get shown over his works. You have pre-
pared a plan of your proposals. You hand it to him
'vhen he can’t put it down on a desk. He holds it

THE BORDEAUX LORRIES 265

between his fingers and thumb, and eventually returns
it to you. You go home and use powder. You have
his finger-prints. You compare the two sets.**

Willis was impiessed. The plan was simple, and it
promised to gain for them all the information they
required without recourse to a hazardous noctum^
visit to the distillery. But he wished he had thought
of ii himself.

“ We might try it,** he admitted, without enthusiasm.
“ It coaldn*t do much harm anjrvay.*

They returned to the garage, opened the secret lid
beneath the lorry, and with a cloth moistened with
petrol cleaned the fittings. Then after a look round
to make sure that nothing had been disturbed, they
let themselves out of the shed, regained the lane and
their machine, and some forty minutes later were in
Bordeaux.

On reconsideration they decided that as Raymond
might have obtained Willis*s description from Captain
Beamish, it would be wiser for Laroche to visit the
distillery. Next morning, therefore, the latter bought
a small writing block, and taking an inside leaf, wldch
he carefully avoided touching with his hands, he drew
a cross-section of a wood-burning fire-box copied from
an illustration in a b^ok of reference in the city library,
at the same time reading up the subject so as to be
able to talk on it without giving himself away. Then he
set out on his mission.

In a couple of hours he returned.

“Got that aU right,** he exclaimed, as he rejoined
the inspector. “ I went and saw the fellow ; said I
was going to start a distillery in the Ardennes where
there was plenty of wood, and wanted to see his plant.
He was very civil, and took me round and show^ me
everything. There is a shed there above the still
furnaces with hoppers for the firewood to go down,
and in it was standing the lorry — the lorry, I saw our
marks on the comer. It was loaded with firewood,
and he explained that it would be emptied last thing
p.p.s. s

266 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

before the day-shift left, so as to do the stills during the
night. Well, I got a general look round the concern,
and I found that the large tuns which contain the
finished brandy were just at the back of the wall of
the shed where the lorry was standing. So it is easy to
see what happens. Evidently there is a pipe through
ihe wall, and Raymond comes down at night and Ms
up the lorry."

" And did you get his finger-prints ?

Have 'em here."

Locking the door of their private room, Laroche
took from his pocket the sketch he had made.

" He held this up quite satisfactorily," he went on,
" and there should be good prints."

Willis had meanwhile spread a newspaper on the
table and taken from his suitcase a small bottle of
powdered lamp-black and a camers-hair brush. Lapng
the sketch on the newspaper he gently brushed some
of the black powder over it, blowing off the surplus.
To the satisfaction of both men, there showed up near
the left bottom corner the distinct mark of a left
thumb.

“ Now the other side."

Willis turned the paper and repeated the operation
on the back. There he got prints of a left fore and
second finger.

"Excellent, clear prints, those," Willis commented,
continuing : " And now I have something to tell you.
While you were away I have been thinking over this
thing, and I believe IVe got an idea."

Laroche looked interested, and the other went on
slowly : —

"There are two brandy carrying lorries. Every
night one of these lies at the distillery and the otlier
at the clearing ; one is being loaded and the other un-
loaded ; and every day the two change places. Now
we may take it that neither of those lorries are sent
to any other place in the town, lest the brandy tanks
might be discovered. For the same reason, they probably

THE BORDEAUX LORRIES 867

only make the one run mentioned per day. Is that
right so far ?

I should think so/' Laroche replied cautiously.

“Very well. Let us suppose these two lorries are
Nos. I and 2. No. i goes to the distilleiy, say,
every Monday, Wednesday ind Friday, and returns
on the other three days, while No. 3 does vice versa,
one trip each day, remember. And this goes on day
after day, week after week, month aftei month. Now
is it too much to assume that s'^oner or later some one
is bound to notice this — ^some worker at the clearing
or the distillery, some policeman on his L^at, some
clerk at a window overlooking the route ? And if any
one notices it will he not wonder why it always happens
that these two lorries go to this one place and to no
other, while the syndicate has six lorries altogether
trading into the town ? And if this observer should
mention his discovery to some one who could put two
and two together, suspicion might be aroused, in-
vesti«^r.tion undertaken, and presently the syndicate is
up a tree. Now do you see what I’m getting at ? **

Laroche nad been listening eagerly, and now he
made a sadden gesture.

“But of course!” he cried delightedly. “The
changing of the numbers I ”

“ The changing of the numbers,” Willis repeated.
“At least, it looks like that to me. No. i does the
Monday run to the di^^tillery. They change the number
plate, and No. 4 does it on Wednesday, while No. i
runs to some other establishment, where it can be freely
examined by any one who is interested. How does it
strike you ? ”

“You have got it. You have certainly got it.”
Laroche was more enthusiastic than the inspector had
before seen him. “ It's what you call a cute scheme,
quite on a par with the rest of the business. They
didn't leave much to chance, these ! And yet it was
this very precaution that gave them away.”

“ No doubt, but that was an accident.”

268 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

“You can’t,” said the Frendunan sentmtiously,
" make anythiftg completely watertight."

The next night they went out to the dealing, and
as soon as it was dark once more entered the died.
There witib more powder— white this time — ^they tested
the tank lorry for finger-marks. As they had hoped,
there were several on the secret fittings, among others
a dear print of a left thumb on the rivet head of the
spring.

A moment’s examination only was necessary. The
prints were those of M. Pierre Raymond.

Ctace again Inspector Willis fdt that he ought to
have completed his case, and once again second thoughts
showed him that he was as far away from that desired
end as ever. He had been trying to find accomplices
in the murder of Cobum, and by a curious perversity,
instead of finding them he had bit by bit solved the
mystery of the Pit-Prop Syndicate. He had shown,
firstly, that they were smuggling brandy, and, secondly,
how they were doing it. For that he would no doubt
get a reward, but such was not his aim. What he
wanted was to complete his own case and get the
approval of his own superiors and bring promotion
nearer. And in this he had failed.

For hours he pondered over the problem, then suddenly
an idea which seemed promising hashed into his mind.
He thought it over with the utmost care, and finally
dedded that in the absence of something better he
must try it.

In the morning the two men travelled to Paris, and
WiUis, there taking leave of his colleague, crossed to
London, and an hour later was with ^ chief at the
Yard.

CHAPTER XIX

WltUS SPREADS HIS NET

Though Inspector Willis had spent so much time out
of London in his following up of tue case, he had by no
means lost sight of Madeleine Coburn and Morriman.
The girl, he knew, was still staying with her aunt at
Eastbourne, and the local police authorities, from whom
he got his information, believed that her youth and
health were ’•easserting themselves, and that she was
rapidly recovering from the shock of her father’s tragic
death. Meniman haunted the town. He practically
lived at the George, goii^ up and down daily to his
office, and spending as many of his evenings and his
Sundays at Mrs. Luttrell’s as he dared.

But though ihe young man had worn himself almost
to a shadow by his efforts, he felt that the realisation
of his hopes was as far off as ever. Madeleine had told
him that she would not marry him until the mystery
of her father’s murder was cleared up and the guilty
parties brought to justice, and he was becoming more
and more afraid that she would keep her word. In vain
he implored her to consider the living rather than the
dead, and not to wreck his hfe and her own for what,
after all, was but a sentiment. But though she listened
to his entreaties and was always kind and gentle, she
remained inflexible in her resolve. Merriman felt that
his only plan, failing the discovery of Mr. Cobum’s
assassin, was unobtrusively to keep as much as possible
in her company, in the hope that she would grow
accustomed to ^ presence, and perhaps in time come
to need it.

Under these circumstances his anxiety as to the
269

THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

270

progress of the case was very great, and on several
occasions he had written to Willis asking him how his
inquiry was going on. But the inspector had not been
communicative, and Merriman had no idea how matters
actually stood.

It was therefore with feelings of pleasurable anticipa-
‘tion that he received a telephone call from Willis at
Scotland Yard.

“ I have just returned from Bordeaux," the inspector
said, " and I am anxious to have a chat with Miss
Cobum on some points that have arisen. I should be
glad of your presence also, if possible. Can you arrange
an interview ? "

" Do you want her to come to town ? "

** Not necessarily ; I will go to Eastbourne if more
convenient. But our meeting must be kept strictly
secret. The syndicate must not get to know."

Merriman felt excitement and hope rising within
him.

" Better go to Eastbourne then," he advised. " Come
down with me to-night by the 5.20 from Victoria."

" No," Willis answered, " we mustn't be seen together.
I shall meet you at the comer of the Grand Parade and
Carlisle Road at nine o'clock."

This being agreed on, both men began to make their
arrangements. In Merriman s case these consisted in
throwing up his work at the office and taking the first
train to Eastbourne. At five o’clock he was asking for
Miss Cobum at Mrs. Luttrell's door.

" Dear Madeleine," he said, when he had told her his
news, " you must not begin to expect tilings. It may
mean nothing at all. Don’t build on it."

But soon he had made her as much excited as he
was himself. He stayed for dinner, leaving shortly
before nine to keep his appointment with Willis. Both
men were then to return to the house, when Madeleine
would see them alone.

Inspector Willis did not travel by Merriman's train.
Instead he caught the 5.35 to Brighton, dined there,

WILLIS SPREADS HIS NET 271

and then slipping out of the hotel, motored over to
Eastbourne. Dismissing his vehicle at the Grand
Hotel, he walked down the Parade and found Merriman
at the rendezvous. In ten minutes they were in Mrs.
Luttreirs drawing-room.

" I am sorry, Miss Cobum,’* Willis began politely,^
** to intrude on you in this way, but the fact is, 1 want
your help and indirectly the help of Mr. Merriman.
But it is only fair, I think, to tell you first what has
transpired since we las L met. I must warn you, how-
ever, that I can only do so in the strictest confidence.
No whisper of what I am going to say must pass the
lips of either of you."

" I promise," said Merriman instantly.

"And 1 ," echoed Madeleine.

" I didn't require that assurance," Willis went on.
" It is sufficient that you understand the gravity of
the situation. Well, after the inquest I set to work,"
and he briefly related the story of his investigations in
London and in Hull, his discoveries at Ferriby, his
proof that Archer was the actual murderer, the details
of the smuggling organisation and, finally, his suspicion
that the other members of the syndicate were privy
to Mr. Coburn's death, together with his failure to
prove it.

His two listeners heard him with eager attention,
in which interest in his story was mingled with admira-
tion of his achievement.

" So Hilliard was right about the brandy after all ! "
Merriman exclaimed. " He deserves some credit for
that. I think he believed in it all the time, in spite of
our conclusion that we had proved it impossible. By
Jove I How you can be had I "

Willis turned to lum.

" Don't be disappointed about your part in it, sir,"
he advised. " I consider that you and Mr. Hilliard
did uncommonly well. I may tell you that I thought so
much of your work that I checked nothing of what you
had done."

272 THE PIT.PROP SYNDICATE

Merriman coloured with pleasure.

" Jolly good 6f you to say so, I'm sure, inspector,"
he said ; " but I'm afraid most 6f the credit for that goes
to HiUiard."

" It was your joint work I was speaking of," Willis
insisted. " But now to get on to business. As I said,
"my difficulty is that I suspect the members of the
syndicate of complicity in Mr. Cobum's death, but I
can't prove it. I have thought out a plan which may
or may not produce this proof. It is in this that I want
your help."

" Mr. Inspector," cried Madeleine reproachfully,
" need you ask for it ? "

Willis laughed.

" I don't think so. But I can't very well come in
and command it, you know."

" Of course you can," Madeleine returned. " You
know very well that in such a cause Mr. Merriman and
I would do anything.'*

" I believe it, and I am going to put you to the test.
I'll tell you my idea. It has occurred to me that these
people might be made to give themselves away. Suppose
they had one of their private meetings to discus'^ the
affairs of the syndicate, and that, unknown to them,
witnesses could be present to overhear what was said.
Would there not at least be a sporting chance that
they would incriminate themselves ? "

" Yes ! " said Merriman, much interested. " Likely
enough. But I don't see how you could arrange that."

Willis smiled slightly.

" I think it might be managed," he answered. " If
a meeting were to take place we could easily learn
where it was to be held and hear what went on. But
the first point is the difficulty— the question of the
holding of the meeting. In the ordinary course there
might be none for months. Therefore we must take
steps to have one summoned. And that," he turned to
Madeleine, " is where I want your help."

His hearers stared, mystified, and Willis resumed.

WILLIS SPREADS HIS NET 2T3

" Something must happen of such importance to the
welfare of the syndicate that the leaders will decide
that a full conference of the members is necessa^.
So far as I can see, you alone can cause that something
to happen. I will tell you how. Put I must warn you
that I fear it will rake up painful memories."

Madeleine, her lips parted, was hanging on his words.

•• Go on," she said quickly, " we have settled all that."

" Thank you," said Willis, taking a sheet of paper
from his pocket. " I have here :he draft of a letter
wliich I want you to write to Captain Beamish. You
can phrase it as you like ; in fact, I want it in your own
words. Read it over and yon will understand."

The draft ran as follows : —

" SiLVERDALE ROAD,

Eastbourne.

" Dear Captain Beamish, — In going over some
papers belonging to my late father, I learn to my
surprise that he was not a salaried official of your
syndicate, but a partner. It seems to me, therefore,
that as his heir I am entitled to his share of the capital
of the concern, or at all events to the interest on it.
I have to ex]j>ress my astonishment that no recognition
of this fact has as yet been made by the syndicate.

" I may say that I have also come on some notes
relative to the business of the syndicate, which have
filled me with anxiety arid dismay, but which I do not
care to refer to in detail in writing.

" I think I should like an interview with you to hear
your explanation of these two matters, and to discuss
what action is to be taken with regard to them. You
could perhaps find it convenient to call on me here, or
I could meet you in London if you preferred it.

" Yours faithfully,

" Madeleine Coburn."

Madeleine made a grimace as she read this letter,

" Oh/' she cried, " but how could I do that ? I

274 the pit-prop SYNDICATE

didn’t find any notes, you know, and besides— it would

be ^ dreadful— acting as a decoy ”

‘'There’s something more important than that,”
Merriman burst in indignantly. ” Do you realise,
Mr. Inspector, that if Miss Cobum were to send that
letter she would put herself in very real danger ? ”

" Not at all,” Willis answered quietly. ” You have
not heard my whole scheme. My idea is that when
Beamish gets that letter he will lay it before Archer,
and they will decide that they must find out what
Miss Cobum knows, and get her quieted about the
money. They will say : "We didn't think she was that
kind, but it’s evident she is out for what she can get.
Let’s pay her a thousand or two a year as interest on
her father’s alleged share — ^it will be a drop in the
bucket to us, but it will seem a big thing to her — and
that will give us a hold on her keeping silence, if she
really does know anything.’ Then Beamish will ask
Miss Cobum to meet him, probably in London. She
will do so, not alone, but with some near friend, perhaps
yourself, Mr. Merriman, seeing you were at the clearing
and know something of the circumstances. You will
be armed, and in addition I shall have a couple of men
from the Yard within call — ^say, disguised as waiters,
if a restaurant is chosen for the meeting. You, Miss
Cobum, will come out in a new light at that meeting.
You will put up a bluff. You will tell Captain Beamish
you know he is smuggling brandy, and that the money
he offers won’t meet the case at all. You must have
£25,000 down, paid as the value of your father’s share
in the concern, and in such a way as will raise no sus-
picion that you knew what was in progress. The inter-
view we can go into in detail later, but it must be so
arranged that Beamish will see Mr. Merriman’s hand
in the whole thing. On the £25,000 being paid the
incriminating notes will be handed over. You will
explain that as a precautionary measure you have
sent them in a sealed envelope to your solicitor, together
with a statement of the whole case, with instmctions

WILLIS SPREADS HIS NET 275

to open the same that afternoon if not reclaimed before
that by yourself m person. Now witii r^ard to your
objection, Miss Cobum. I quite realise what an
exceedingly nasty job this will be for you. In ordinary
circumstances I should not suggest it, But the people
against whom I ask you to act did not hesitate to lure
your father into the cab in which they intended to shoot
him. They did this by r show of friendliness, and by
playing on the trust he reposed in them, and they did
it deliberately and ir cold b^ood. You need not
hesitate from nice feeling to act as I suggest in order
to get justice for your father’s memory."

Madeleine braced herself.

" I know you are right, and if there is no other way
I shall not hesitate," she said, but there was a piteous
look in her eyes. " And you will help me, Seymour ? "
She looked appealingly at her companion.

Merdman demurred on the ground that, even after
taking aU Willis's precautions, the girl would still be
in danger, but she would not consider that aspect of
the question at all, and at last he was overborne.
Madeleine with her companion's help then rewrote the
letter in her own phraseology, and addressed it to
Captain Beamish, c/o Messrs. The Landes Pit-Prop
Syndicate, Ferriby, Hull. Having arranged that he
would ^receive immediate telephonic information of a
reply, Willis left the house and was driven back to
Brighton. Next morning he returned to London.

The Girondin, he reckoned, would reach Ferriby on
the following Friday, and on Thursday he returned to
Hull. He did not want to be seen with Hunt, as he
expected the latter's business would by this time be
too well known. He therefore went to a different hotel,
ringing up the Excise man and arranging a meeting
for that evening.

Hunt turned up about nine, and the two men retired
to Willis's bedroom, where the inspector described his
doings at Bordeaux. Then Hunt told of his discoveries
since the other had left.

*76 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

" I've got all I iVant at last,” he said. " You re-
member we both realised that those five houses were
getting in vastly more brandy than th^ could possibly
sell ? Well, I'Ve found out how they are getting rid of
the surplus."

>^llis looked his question.

" They are selling it round to other houses. Th^
have three men doing nothing else. They go in and
buy an 3 rthing from a bottle up to three or four kegs,
and there is always a good reason for the purchase.
Usually it is that they represent a publican whose
stock Is just out, and who wants a quantity to keep
him going. But the point is that all the purchases
are perfectly in order. They are openly made and the
full price is paid. But, foUowing it up, I discovered
that there is afterwards a secret rebate. A small
percentage of the price is refunded. This pa3?s every
one concerned and ensures secrecy.”

Willis nodded.

" It’s well managed all through," he commented.
"They deserved to succeed.”

" Yes, but they're not going to. All the same my
discoveries won't help you. I’m satisfied that none
of these people know anything of the main conspiracy.”

Early on the following morning Willis was once more
at work. Dawn had not completely come when he
motored from the city to the end of the Feiriby lane.
Ten minutes after leaving his car he was in the ruined
cottage. There he unearthed his telephone from the
box in which he had hidden it, and took up his old
position at the window, prepared to listen in to whatever
messages might pass.

He had a longer vigil than on previous occasions, and
it was not until nearly four that he saw Archer lock the
door of his office and move towards the filing-room.
Almost immediately came Benson’s voice calling :
“ Are you there ? ”

They conversed as before for a few moments. The
Girondin, it appeared, had arrived some two hours

Wims SPREADS ms NET 277

previously with a cargo of " X375." It vras diear tiiat
the members of the syndicate had agte^ never to
mmitkai the word " gallons." It w^, WilQa presumed,
a likely enough precaution against «a.ves(^ppers, and
he thou^t now mudi sooner both Hilled and himself
would ^ve guessed the real nature of the oonspirm^,
had it not bm observed.

Prosmitly they came to the subject about whidi
Willis was expecting to hear. Beamish, the manager
explained, was there and . wished *^0 speak to Archer.

" That you, Archer ? " came in what Willis believed
he recognised as the captain's voice. " I’ve had rathm
a nasty jar, a letter from Madeleine Cobum. Wants
Cobum's share in the aSair, and hints at knowledge of
what we’re really up to. Reads as if she was put up to
it by some one, probably that — — - Merriman. Hold
on a minute and I’ll read it to }mu." Then followed
Madeleine’s letter.

Archer's reply was diort, but lurid, and Willis, not-
withstanding the serioiisness of the matter, could not
help smiling.

There was a pause, and then Archer asked : —

*' When did you get that ? ’’

"Now, when we got in; but Benson tells me the
letter has been waiting for me for three days."

" You might read it again."

Beamish ^d'so, and presently Archer went on •

" In my opinion, we needn’t be unduly alarmed. Of
course she may know something, but I fancy it’s what
you say; that Merriman is getting her to put up a
blufl. But it'll take thinking over. I have an appoint-
ment presently, and in any case we couldn’t discuss it
adequately over the telephone. We must meet. Could
you come up to my house to-night ? "

" Yes, if you think it wise.”

" It’s not wise, but I think we must risk it. You're
not known here. But oane alone ; Benson shouldn’t
attempt it."

“Right. What time?"

278 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

“ What about nine ? I often work in the evenings,
and I*m never disturbed. Come round to my study
window and I diall be there. Tap lightly. The window •
is on the right-hand side of the house as you come up
the drive, the fourth from the comer. You can slip
round to it in the shadow of the bushes, and keep on
the grass the whole time."

" Right, Nine o'clock, then."

The switch of the telephone clicked, and presently
Willis saw Archer reappear in his office.

The inspector was disappointed. He had hoped that
the conspirators would have completed their plans
over the telephone, and that he would have had nothing
to do but listen to what they arranged. Now he saw
that if he were to gain the information he required, it
would mean a vast deal more trouble, and perhaps
danger as well.

He felt that at all costs he must be present at the
interview in Archer's study, but the more he though:
about it, the more difficult the accomplishment of this
seemed. He was ignorant of the plan of the house, or
what hiding-places, if any, there might be in the study,
nor could he think of any scheme by which he could
gain admittance. Further, there was but little time in
which to make inquiries or arrangements, as he could
not leave his present retreat until dark, or say six
o'clock. He saw the problem would be one of the
most difficult he had ever faced.

But the need for solving it was paramount, and
when darkness had set in he let himself out of the
cottage and walked the mile or more to Archer's
residence. It was a big square block of a house,
approached by a short winding drive, on each side of
which was a border of rhododendrons. The porch was
in front, and the group of windows to the left of it were
lighted up— the dining-room, Willis imagined. He
followed the directions given to Beamish and moved
round to the right, keeping well in the shadow of the
shrubs. The third and fourth windows from the comer

WILLIS SPREADS HIS NET 279

on the right side were also lighted up, tod the inspector
crept silencly up and peeped over the sill. The blinds
were drawn down, but that on the third window was
not quite pulled to the bottom, and through the narrow
slit remaining he could see into he room.

It was empty, but evidently only foi the time being, ^
as a cheerful fire burned in Ae grate. Furnished as a
study, everything bore the impress of wealth and culture*
By looking from each end of the slot in turn, nearly
all the floor area and n*ore than half that of tlie walk
became visible, and a glance showed the inspector
that nowhere in his purview was there anything behind
which he might conceal himself, supposing he could
obtain admission.

But could he obtain admission ? He examined the
sashes. They were of steel, hinged and opening in-
wards in the French manner, and were fastened by a
handle which could not be turned from without. Had
they been the ordinary English sashes fastened with
snibs he would have had the window open in a few
seconds, but with these he could do nothing*

He moved round the house examining the other
windows. All were fitted with the same type of sash,
and all werv: fastened. The front door also was shut,
and though he might have been able to open it with
his bent wire, he felt that to adventure himself into
the hall without any idea of the interior would be too
dangerous. Here, as always, he was hampered by the
fact that discovery would mean the ruin of his case.

Having completed the circuit of the building, he
looked once more through the study window. At
once he saw that his opportunity was gone. At the
large desk sat Archer, busily writing.

Various expedients to obtain admission to the house
passed through his brain, all to be rejected as im-
practicable. Unless some unexpected incident occurred
of which he could take advantage, he began to fear
he would be unable to accomplish his plan.

As by this time it was half-past eight, he withdrew

s8o THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

from the window and took up his position bdiind a
neighbouring shrub. He did not wish to be seen by
Beamish, should the latter come early to the rendezvous.

He had, however, to wait for more than half an hour
before a dark form became vaguely visible in the faint
light which shone through the study blinds. It ap-
proached the window, and a tap sounded on the glass.
In a moment the blind went up, the sash opened, the
figure passed through, the sash closed softly, and the
blind was once more drawn down. In three seconds
Willis was back at the sill.

The slot under the blind still remained, the other
window having been opened. Willis first examined
the fastening of the latter in the hope of opening the
sash enough to hear what was said, but to his dis-
appointment he found it tightly dosei He had there-
fore to be content with observation through the* slot.

He watched the two men sit down at either side of
the .fire, and light cigars. Then Beamish handed the
other a paper, presumably Madeleine’s letter. Archer
having read it twice, a discussion began. At first
Archer seemed to be making some statement, to
judge by the other’s rapt attention and the gestures
of excitement or concern which he made. But no word
of the conversation reached the inspector’s ears.

He watched for nearly two hours, getting gradually
more and more cramped from his stooping position,
and chilled by the sharp autumn air. During all that
time the men talked earnestly, then, shortly after
eleven, they got up and approached the window.
Willis retreated quickly behind his bush.

The window opened softly and Beami^ stepped
out to the grass, the light shining on his strong, ra&er
lowering face. Archer leant out of the window after
him, and Willis heard him say in low tones, "Then
you'll speak up at eleven ? " to which the other nodded
and silently withdrew. The window closed, the blind
was lower^, and all remained silent.

Willis waited for some minutes to let the captain

WILLIS SPREADS ffiS NET aSx

get dear away, then leaving his hiding<plaoe and agaiit
keeping on the grass, he passed down the drive and
oat.4»i to the road. He was profoundly disappointed.
He had failed in nis ptupose, and the oidy ray of light
in the immediate horizon was that last remark of
Archer's. If it meant, as he presumed It did, that
the men were to communicate by the secret telephone
at deven in the morning, all might not yet lost.
He might learn then what he had missed to-night.

It seemed hardly worth while returning to HuU.
He therefore went to the Raven Bar in Ferriby, knocked
up the landlord, and by paying four or five times the
proper amount, managed to get a meal and some food
for the next day. Then returning to the deserted
cottage, he let himself in, dosed the door behind him,
and lying down on the floor with his head on his arm,
'fell asleep.

Next morning found him back at his post at the
broken window, with the tdephone receiver at his ear.
His suniuse of the meaning of Ardier’s lemark at the
study windov' proved to be correct, for predsely at
deven he heard the familiar : " Are you there ? "
which heralded a conversation. Then Beamish’s voice
went on : —

" I have talked this business over with Benson, and
he makes a suggestion which I think is an improvement
on our plan. He thinks we should have our generd
meeting in London immediately after I have interviewed
Madeleine Cobyun. The advantage of this scheme
would be that if we found she possessed really serious
knowledge, we could immediatdy consider our next
move, and I could, if necessary, see her again that
night. Ben^n thinks I should fix up a meeting with
her at say 10.30 or ii, that I could then join you at
lunch at 1.30, after which we tould discuss my report,
and I could see the girl again at 4 or 5 o’clock. It
seems to me a sound scheme. What do you
say ? "

“ It has advantages,” Archer answered stowly. " If

P.P.S. T

282 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

you both think it best, I'm quite agreeable. Where
then should the meetings be held ? "

In the case of Miss Cobum there would be no
change in our last night's arrangement ; a private
sitting-room at the Gresham would still do excellently.
If you're going to town you could fix up some place
for our own meeting — ^preferably fairly close by."

" Very well, I'm going up on Tuesday in any case,
and I'll arrange something. I shall let Benson know,
and he can teU you and the others. I think we should
all go up by separate trains. I shall probably go by the
5.3 from Hull on the evening before. Let's see, when
will you be in again ? "

" Monday week about midday, I expect. Benson
could go up that morning, Bulla and I separately by
the 4, and Fox, Henri and Raymond, if he comes,
by the first train next morning. How would that do ? "

" All right, I think. The meetings then will be on
Tuesday at ii and 1,30, Benson to give you the
address of the second. We can arrange at the meeting
about returning to Hull."

" Righto," Beamish answered shortly, and the
conversation ended.

Willis for once was greatly cheered by what he had
overheard. His failure on the previous evening was
evidently not going to be so serious as he had feared.
He had in spite of it gained a knowledge of the con-
spirators' pl^s, and he chuckled with delight as he
thought how excellently his ruse was working, and
how completely the gang were walking into the trap
which he had prepared. As far as he could see, he
held all the trump cards of the situation, and if he
played his hand carefully he should xmdoubtedly get
not only the men, but the evidence to convict them.

To learn the rendezvous for the meeting of the
syndicate he would have to follow Archer to town, and
shadow him as he did his business. This was Saturday,
and the managing director had said he was going on
the following Tuesday. From that there would be a

WILLIS SPREADS fflS NET 283

week until the meeting, which would give more than
time to make tiie necessary arrangements.

Willis remained in the cottage until dark that evening,
then making his way to Ferriby station, returned to
Hull. His first action on reaching the city was to send
a letter to Madeleine, asking her to forward Beamish's
reply to him at the Yard.

On Monday he began his shadowing of Archer, lest
the latter should go to town that day. But the distiller
mads no move until the Tuesday, travelling up that
morning by the 6.15. from Hull.

At 12. 25 they reached King's Cross. Archv^r leisurely
left the train, and crossing the platform, stepped into
a taxi and was driven away. Willis, in a second taxi,
followed about fifty yards behind. The chase led
westwards along the Euston Road until, turning to
the left down Gower Street, the leading vehicle pulled
up at the door of the Gresham Hotel in Bedford Square.
Willis s taxi ran on past the other, and through the
backLght the inspector saw Archer alight and pass
into the hotel.

Stopping at a door in Bloomsbury Street, Willis
sat watching. In about five minutes Archer reappeared,
and again entering his taxi, was driven off southwards.
Willi* s Ccix slid in once more behind the other, and
the chase recommenced. They crossed Oxford Street,
and passing down Charing Cross Road stopped at a
small foreign restaurant in a narrow lane off Cranbourne
Street.

Willis's taxi repeated its previous manoeuvre, and
halted oppOwsite a shop from where the inspector could
see the other vehicle through the backlight. He thought
he had all the information he needed, but there was the
risk that Archer might not find the room he required
at the little restaurant, and have to try elsewhere.

This second call lasted longer than the first, and a
quarter of an hour had passed before the distiller
emerged and re-entered his taxi. This time the chase
was ^ort. At the Trocadero Archer got out, dismissed

fl584 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

his taxi, and passed into the building. Willis, following
discreetly, was in time to see the other seat himself at
a table and leisurely take up the bill of fare. Believing
the quarry would remain where he was for another
half-hour at least, the inspector slipped unobserved
out of the room, and jumping once more into his taxi,
w&s driven back to the little restaurant off Cranboume
Street*

He sent for the manager and drew him aside.

** Fm Inspector Willis from Scotland Yard," he said,
with a sharpness strangely at variance with his usual
easy-going mode of address. " See here." He showed
his credentials, at which the manager bowed obsequi-
ously. " I am following that gentleman who was in
here inquiring about a room a few minutes ago. I
want to know what passed between you."

The manager, who was a sly, evil-looking person
seemingly of Semitic blood, began to hedge, but Willis
cut him short with scant ceremony.

" Now look here, my friend," he said brusquely,
" I haven't time to waste with you. That man that
you were talking to is wanted for murder, and what
you have to decide is whether you're going to act with
the police or against them. If you give us any trouble
you may find yourself in the dock as an accomplice
after the fact. In any case it's not healthy for a man
in your position to run up against the police."

His bluff had more effect than it might have had
with an Englishman in similar circumstances, and the
manager became polite and anxious to assist. Yes,
the gentleman had come about a room. He had ordered
lunch in a private room for a party of seven for 1.30
on the following Tuesday. He had been very particular
about the room, had insisted on seeing it, and had
approved of it. It appeared the party had some business
to discuss after lun^, and the gentleman had required
a guarantee that they would not be interrupted. The
gentleman had given his name as Mr. Hodgson. The
price had been agreed on.

WILLIS SPREADS HIS NET 285

Willis in his tom demanded to see the room, and he
was led upstairs to a small and rather dark chamber,
containing a fair-sized oval table surrounded by red
plush chairs, a red plush sofa along one side, and a
narrow sideboard along another. The walls supported
tawdry and dilapidated decorations, in which bevelled
mirrors and faded gilding bore a prominent part. Twd
large but quite worthless oil paintings hung above the
fireplace and the sideboard respectively, and the window
was covered with gelrtine pap^r simulating stained
glass.

Inspector Willis stood surveying the scent with a
frown on his brow. How on earth was he to secrete
liimself in tliis barely furnished apartment? There
was not room under the sofa, still less beneath the side-
board. Nor was there any adjoining room or cupboard
in which he could hide, his keen ear pressed to the
keyhole. It seemed to him that in this case he was
doing nothing but coming up against one insoluble
problem after another. Ruefully he recalled the
conversation m Archer’s study, and he decided that,
whatever the cost in time and trouble, there must be
no repetition of that fiasco.

He stood silently pondering over the problem, the
manager obsequiously bowing and rubbing his hands.
And then the idea for which he was hoping flashed
into his mind. He walked to the wall behind the
sideboard and struck it sharply. It rang hollow.

• A partition ? " he asked. What is behind it ? "

'Anozzer room, sair. A private room, same as
dees ”

Show it to me,”

The ” ozzer room ” was smaller, but otherwise similar
to that they had just left. The doors of the two rooms
were beside each other, leading on to the same passage.

” This will do,” Willis declared. ” Now look here,
Mr. Manager, I wish to overhear the conversation of
your customers, and I may or may not wish to arrest
them. You will show them up and give them lunch

286

THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

exactly as you have arranged. Some officers from the
Yard and myself will previously have hidden ourselves
in here. See ? "

The manager nodded.

** In the meantime I shall send a carpenter and have
a hole made in that partition between the two rooms,
‘a hole about two feet by one, behind the upper part
of that picture that hangs above the sideboard. Do
you understand ?

The manager wrung his hands.

“ Ach I " he cried. But meine Zimmern ! Mine
rooms, zey veel pe deestroyed ! "

Your rooms will be none the worse,'* Willis declared.

I will have the damage made good, and I shall pay
you reasonably well for everything. You'll not lose

if you act on the square, but if not " he stared

aggressively in the other's face — " if the slightest hint
of my plan reaches any of the men — ^well, it will be
ten years at least."

" It shall pe done ! All shall happen as you
say ! "

" It had better," Willis rejoined, and with a menacing
look strode out of the restaurant.

“ The Gresham Hotel," he called to his driver, as he
re-entered his taxi.

His manner to the manageress of the Bedford Square
hotel was very different from that displayed to the
German Jew. Introducing himself as an inspector from
the Yard, he inquired the purpose of Archer's call.
Without hesitation he was informed. The distiller
had engaged a private sitting-room for a business
interview which was to take place at eleven o'clock on
the following Tuesday between a Miss Cobum, a Mr.
Merriman and a Captain Beamish.

" So far so good," thought Willis exultingly, as he
drove off. "They're walking into the trap! I shall
have them all. I shall have them in a week."

At the Yard he dismissed his taxi, and on reaching
his room he found the letter he was expecting from

WILLIS SPREADS HIS NET 287

Madeleine. It contained that from Beamish, and the
latter read : —

•'Ferriby, Yorks,
Saturday.

•'Dear Miss Coburn, — I have just received your
letter of 25th inst., and I hasten to reply.

' I am deeply grieved to learn that you consider
yourself badly treated by the members of the S3mdicate,
and I may say at on^^e that I feel positive that aiiy
obligations wliich tliey may have contracted will be
immediately and honourably discharged.

It is, however, news to me that your late father
was a partner, as I always imagined he held his position
as I do my own, namely, as a salaried official who also
receives a bonus based on the profits of the concern.

** With regard to the notes you have found on the
operations of the syndicate, it is obvious that these
must be capable of a simple explanation, as there was
nothing in the operations complicated or difficult to
understand.

“ I shall be very pleased to fall in with your sug-
gestion that we should meet and discuss the points at
issue, and I would suggest ii a.m. on Tuesday,
loth prox., at the Gresham Hotel in Bedford Square,
if this would suit you.

** With kind regards,

“ Yours sincerely,

“ Walter Beamish."

Willis smiled as he read this effusion. It was really
quite well worded, and left the door open for any
action which the syndicate fnight decide on. "Ah,
well, my friend," he thought grimly, " you'll get a
little surprise on Tuesday. You'll find Miss Cobum
is not to be caught as easily as you think. Just you
wait and see."

For the next three or four days Willis busied himself
in preparing for his great coup. First he went down

m THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

again to Eastbourne via Brighton, and coached
Madeleine and Merriman in the part they were to play
in the coming interview. Next he superintended the
making of the hole through the wall dividing the two
private rooms at the Cranboume Street restaurant,
and drilled the party of men who were to occupy the
annexe. To his unbounded satisfaction, he foimd that
every word uttered at the table in the larger room was
audible next door to any one standing at the aperture.
Then he detailed two picked men to wait within call of
the private room at the Gresham during the interview
between Madeleine and Beamish. Finally, all his pre-
parations in London complete, he returned to Hull,
and set himself, by means of the secret telephone, to
keep in touch with the affairs of the syndicate.

CHAPTER XX

THE DOUBLE CROSS

Inspector Willis spent the Saturday before the fateful
Tuesday at the telephone in the empty cottage. Nothing
of interest passed over the wire, except that "’Benson
informed his chief that he had had a telegram from
Beamish saying that, in order to reach Ferriby at the
prearranged hour, he was having to sail without a full
cargo of propj., and that the two men went over again
the various trains by which they and their confederates
would travel to London. Both items pleased Willis,
as it showed him that the plans originally made were
being adhered to.

On Monday morning, as the critical hours of his
coup approached, he became restless and even nervous
—so far, that is, as an inspector of the Yard on duty
can be ner\^ous. So much depended on the results of
the next day and a half I His own fate hung in the
balance as well as that of the men against whom he
had pitted himsplf. Miss Cobum and Merriman too
would be profoundly affected however the affair ended,
while to his department, and even to the nation at
large, his success would not be without importance.

He determined he would, if possible, see the various
members of the gang start, travelling himself in the
train with Archer, as the leader and the man most
urgently "wanted." Benson, he jremtmbered, was
to go first, Willis therefore haunted the Paragon
station, watching the trains leave, and he was well
satisfied when he saw Benson get on board the 9.10 a.m.
By means of a word of explanation and the passing
of a couple of shillings, he induced an official to examine

THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

290

the traveller's ticket, which proved to be a third return
to King's Cross.

Beamish and Bulla were to travel by the 4 p.m.,
and Willis, carefully disguised as a deep-sea fisherman,
watched them arrive separately, take their tickets,
and enter the train. Beamish travelled first, and
•Bulla third, and again the inspector had their tickets
examined, and found they were for London.

Archer was to leave at 5.3, and Willis intended as
a precautionary measure to travel up with him and
keep him under observation. Still in his fisherman’s
disguise, he took his own ticket, got into the rear of
the train, and kept his eye on the platform until he
saw Archer pass, suitcase and rug in hand. Then
cautiously looking out, he watched the other get into
the through coach for King's Cross.

As the train ran past the depot at Ferriby, Willis
observed that the Girondin was not discharging pit-
props, but instead was loading casks of some kind. He
had noted on the previous Friday, when he had been
in the neighbourhood, that some wagons of" these casks
had been shunted inside the enclosure, and were being
unloaded by the syndicate's men. The casks looked
like those in which the crude oil for the ship’s Diesel
engines arrived, and the fact that she was loading them
unemptied — ^he presumed unemptied — ^seemed to in-
dicate that the pumping plant on the wharf was out
of order.

The 5.3 p.m. ran, with a stop at Goole, to Doncaster,
where the through carriage was shunted on to one of
the great expresses from the north. More from force
of habit than otherwise, Willis put his head out of
the window at Goole to watch if any one should leave
Archer's carriage. But no one did.

At Doncaster Willis received something of a shock.
As his train drew into the station another was just
coming out, and he idly ran his eye along the line of
coaches. A figure in the comer of a third-class com-
partment attracted his attention. It seemed vaguely

THE DOUBLE CROSS 291

familiar, but it was already out of sight before the
inspector realised that it was a likeness to Benson
that had struck him. He had not seen the man's
face, and he at once dismissed the matter from his
mind with the careless thought that every one has his
double. A moment later they pulled up at the platform.

Here again he put out his head, and it was not long
before he saw Archer alight and, evidently leaving his
suitcase and rug to keep his seat, move slowly down
the platform. There was nothing remarkable in this,
as no less than seventeen minutes elapsed between the
arrival of the train from Hull and the departure of that
for London, and through passengers frequently left
their carriage while it was being shunted. At the
same time Willis unostentatiously followed, and pre-
sently saw Archer vanish into the first-class refreshment-
room. He took up a position where he had a good view
of the door, and waited for the other's reappearance.

But the distiller was in no hurry. Ten minutes
elapsca, and still he made no sign. The express from
the north thundered in, the engine hooked off, and
sliunting began. The train was due out at 6.22, and
now the hands of the great clock pointed to 6.19.
Willis began to be perturbed. Had he missed his
quarry ?

At 6.20 he could stand it no longer, and at risk of
meeting Archer, should the latter at that moment
decide to leave the reheshment-room, he pushed open
the duor and glanced in. And then he breathed freely
again. Archer was seated at a table sipping what
looked like a whisky and soda. As Willis looked he saw
him glance up at the clock — ^now pointing to 6,21 —
and calmly settle himself more comfortably in his
chair I

Why, the man would miss the train I Willis, with
a sudden feeling of disappointment, had an impulse
to run over and remind him of the hour at which it
left. But he controlled himself in time, slipped back
to his post of observation, and took up Ids watch.

t 9 » THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

In a few seconds the train whistled, and palled majesti-
es^ oat of the statioii.

For fifteen minates Willis waited, and then he saw
the distiller leave the refreshment-room and walk
sbwly down the platform. As Willis followed, it was
clear to him that the other had deliberately sdlowed
Us train to start withoat him, thoagh what his motive
had been the inspector coaid not imagine. He now
approached the booking-office and apparently boaght
a ticket, afterwards taming back down the platform.

Willis slipped into a doorway until he had passed,
then hurrying to the booking-i^dow, explained who
he was and asked to what station the last com» had
booked. He was told "Selby,” and he retreated,
exasperated and puzzled beyond words. What could
Archer be up to ?

He bought a time-table and began to study the
possibilities. First he made himself clear as to Ae lie
of the land. The main line of the great East Coast
route from London to Scotland ran almost due north
and south through Doncaster. Eighteen miles to the
north was Selby, the next important station. At Selby
a line ruiming east and west crossed the other, leading
in one direction to Leeds and the west, and in the other
to Hull.

About half-way between Selby and Hull, at a place
called Staddlethorpe, a line branched off and ran
south-westerly through Goole to Doncaster. Selby,
Staddlethorpe, and Doncaster therefore formed a
railway triangle, one of the sides of wUch, produced,
led to Hull. From tUs it followed, as indeed the
Inspector had known, that passengers to and from
Hull had two points of connection with the main line,
either direct to Selby, or through Goole to Doncaster.

He began to study the trains. The first northwards
was the 4 p.m. dining-car express from King's Cross
to Newcastle. It left Doncaster at 7.56 and reached
Selby at 8.21. Would Archer travel by it ? And if
he (M, what would be his next move ?

THE DOUBLE CROSS *93

For nearly an hour Willis sat huddled up in the
comer of a seat, his eye on Archer in the distance, and
his mind wrestling with the problem. For nearfy an
hour he racked his brains without result, then suddenly
a devastating idea flashed before his consciousness,
leaving him rigid with dismay. For a moment his

mind refused to accept so disastrous a possibility,
but M be continued to think over it he found that one
ptmlmg and unrelated fact after another took on a
affCTent complexion from that it had foimerly borne;
that, moreover, it dropped into place and became
part of a connected whole.

1 Archer could not discuss Madeleine’s

letter over the telephone, but was able to arrange in

294 the pit-prop SYNDICATE

that way for the interview with Beamish, He under-
stood why Archer, standing at his study window had
mentioned the call at eleven next morning. He realised
that Benson's amendment was probably arranged by
Archer on the previous evening. He saw why the
Girondin had left the Lesque without her full cargo,

• and why she was loading barrels at Ferriby. He knew
who it was he had seen passing in the other train as
his own reached Doncaster, and he grasped the reason
for Archer's visit to Selby.

In a word, he saw he had been hoaxed — fooled —
carefully, systematically and at every point. While
he had been congratulating himself on the completeness
with which the conspirators had been walking into
his net, he had in reality been caught in theirs. He had
been like a child in their hands. They had evidently
been watching and countering his every step.

He saw now that his tapping of the secret telephone
must have been discovered, and that his enemies had
used their discovery to mislead him. They must have
recognised that Madeleine's letter was inspired by

• himself, and read his motives in making her send it.
They had then used the telephone to make him believe
they were falling into his trap, wliile their real plans
were settled in Archer's study.

What those plans were he believed he now under-
stood. There would be no meetings in London on the
following day. The meetings were designed to bring
him, Willis, to the metropolis and keep him there.
By to-morrow the gang, convinced that discoveiy
was imminent, would be aboard the Girondin and on
the high seas. They were, as he expressed it to himself,
“ doing a bunk."

Therefore of necessity the Girondin would load
barrelled oil to drive her to some country where Scotland
Yard detectives did not flourish, and where extradition
laws were of no account. Therefore she must return
light, or, he suspected, empty, as there would be no
time to unload. Moreover, a reason for this " lightness "

THE DOUBLE CROSS 295

must be given him, lest he should notice the ship sitting
high out of the water, and suspect. And he now knew
that it was really Benson that he had seen returning
to Ferriby via Goole, and that Archer was doing the
same via Selby.

He looked up the trains from Sdby to Ferriby. There
was only one. It left Selby at 9.19, fifty-eight minuted
after the Doncaster train arrived there, and reached
Ferriby at 10.7. It was now getting on towards eight.
He had nearly two and u. half hou s to make his plans.

Though Willis was a little slow in thought, he was
prompt in action. Feeling sure that Archei would
indeed travel by the 7.56 to Selby, he relaxed his
watch and went to the telephone call office. There he
rang up the police station at Selby, asking for a plain
clones man and two constables to meet him at the
train to make an arrest. Also he asked for a fast car
to be engaged to take him immediately to Ferriby.
He then called up the police in Hull, and had a long
talk wita the superintendent. Finally it was arranged
that a sergea'^.t and twelve men were to meet him on
the shore at the back of the signal cabin near the
Ferriby depot, with a boat and a grappling ladder for
getting aboard the Girondin, This done, Willis hurried
back to the platform, reaching it just as the 7.56 came
in. He watched Archer get on board, and then himself
entered another compartment.

At Selby the quariy alighted, and passed along the
platform towards the booking-office. Willis's police
training instantly revealed to him the plain clothes
man, and him he instructed to follow Archer and learn
to what station he booked. In a few moments the
man returned to say it was Ferriby. Then calling up
the two constables, the four officers followed the dis-
tiller into the first-class waiting-room, where he had
taken cover. Willis walked up to him.

Archibald Charles Archer," he said impressively,
" I am Inspector Willis of Scotland Yard. I have a
warrant for your arrest on a charge of murdering

*96 the pit-prop SYNDICATE

Francis Cobom in a cab in London on 12th September
last. I have to warn you that anything you say may
be used in evidence against you."

For a moment the distiller seemed so overwhelmed
with surprise as to be incapable of movement, and
before he could pull himself together there was a click,
and handcuff gleamed on his wrists. Then his eyes
blazed, and with the inarticulate roar of a wild beast
he flung himself wildly on Willis, and, manacled as he
was, attempted to seize his throat. But the struggle
was brief. In a moment the three other men had tom
him off, and he stood glaring at his adversary, and
uttering savage curses.

"You look after him, sergeant," Willis directed a
little breathlessly, as he tried to straighten the remnants
of his tie. " I must go on to Ferriby.”

A powerful car was waiting outside the statioii, and
Willis, jumping in, offered the driver an mctra pound
if he was at Ferriby within fifty minutes. He reckoned
the distance was about twenty-five miles, and he
thought he should maintain an average of thirty miles
an hour. >

The night was intensely dark as the big vehicle
swung out of Selby, eastward bound. A slight wind
blew in from the east, bearing a damp, searching cold,
more trying than frost. Willis, who had left his coat
in the London train, shivered as he drew the one rug
the vehicle contained up round his shoulders.

The road to Howden was broad and smooth, and
the car made fine going. But at Howden the main
road tinned north, and speed on the comparatively
inferior cross roads to Ferriby had to be reduced. But
Willis was not dissatisfied with their progress when at
9.38, fifty-four minutes after leaving Selby, they pulled
up in the Ferriby lane, not far from the ^tillery and
opposite the railway signal cabin.

Having arranged with the driver to run up to the
main road, wait there until he heard four blasts on the
Girmdin’s horn, and then make for the syndicate’s

THE DOUBLE CROSS 297

depot, the inspector dismounted, and forcing his way
through the railway fence, crossed the rails and de-
scended the low embankment on the river side. A
moment later, just as he reached the shore, the form
of a man loomed up dimly thrurgh the darkness.

" Who is there ? asked Willis softly.

"Constable Jones, sir," the figure answered. "Is
that Inspector Willis? Sergeant Hobbs is here with
the boats."

Willis followed the other for fifty yards along the
beach, until they came on two boats, each containing
half a dozen policemen. It was still very dark, and
the wind blew cold and raw The silence was broken
only by the lapping of the waves on the shingle.
Willis felt that the night was ideal for his purpose.
There was enough noise from wind and water to muffle
any sounds that the men might make in getting aboard
the Gnondin, but not enough to prevent him over-
hearing any conversation which might be in progress.

" We have just got here this minute, sir/' the sergeant
said. " I hooe we haven^t kept you waiting."

" Just arrived myself," Willis returned. " You have
twelve picked men ? "

" Yes, sir."

" Aimedi* "

" Yes, sir."

" Good. I need not remind you all not to fire except
as a last resort. Wlic t arrangements have you made
for boarding ? "

" We have a ladder with hooks at the top for catching
on the taffrail."

" Your oars mufifled ? "

‘I Yes, sir."

" Very well. Now listen, and see that you are clear
about what you are to do. When we reach the ship
get your ladder in position, and I'll go up. You and
the men follow. Keep beside me, sergeant. We'll
overhear what we can. When I give the signal, rush
in and arrest the whole gang. Do you follow ? "
p.p.s.

u

298 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

" Yes, sir/'

" Then let us get under way/'

They pudied off, passing like phantoms over the
dark water. The ship carried a ri^ng light, to which
they steered. She was lying, Willis knew, bow up-
stream. The tide was flowing, and when they were
dose by they ceased rowing and drifted down on to
her stem. There the leading boat dropped in beneath
her counter, and the bowman made the painter fast
to her rudder post. The second boat’s painter was
attached to the stem of the first, and the current
swung both alongside. The men, fending off, allowed
their craft to come into place without sound. The
ladder was raised and hooked on, and Willis, climbing
up, steathily raised his head above the taffrail.

The port side of the ship was, as on previous occasions,
in complete darkness, and Willis jerked the ladder as
a signal to the others to follow him. In a few seconds
the fourteen men stood like shadows on the lower
deck. Then Willis, tiptoeing forward, began to climb
the ladder to the bridge deck, just as Hilliard had done
some four months earlier. As on that occasioiji, the
starboard side of the ship, next the wharf, was dimly
lighted up. A light also showed in the window of the
captain’s cabin, from which issued the sound of voices.

Willis posted his men in two groups at either end of
the cabin, so that at a given signal they could rush
round in opposite directions and reach the door. Then
he and the sergeant crept forward and put their ears
to the window.

This time, though the glass was hooked back as
before, the curtain was pulled fully across the opening,
so that the men could see nothing and only partially
hear what was said. Willis therefore reached in and
very gradually pulled it a little aside. Fortunately
no one noticed the movement, and the talk continued
uninterruptedly.

The inspector could now see in. Five men were
squeezed round the tiny table. Beamish and Bulla

THE DOUBLE CROSS 299

sat along one side, directly facing him. At the end
was Fox. The remaining two had their backs to the
window, and were, the inspector believed, Raymond
and Henri. Before each man was a long tumbler of
whisky and soda, and a box of cigars lay on the table.
All seemed nervous and excited, indeed as if under an
intolerable strain, and kept fidgcti^ and looking* at
their watches. Conversation v^as evidently maintained
witn an effort, as a thing nec. ssary to keep them from
a complete breakdown. Raymond was sneaking.

And you saw him come out ? ** ’^‘e was aslang.

Yes,*' Fox answered. He came out sort of stealthy
and looked around. I didn't know who it was then,
but I knew no one had any business in the cottage at
that hour, so I followed him to Ferriby Station. I
saw his face by the lamps there."

" And you knew him ? "

No, but 1 recognised him as having been around
with that Excise inspector, and I guessed he waS on to
something."

" Oui, oui. Yes ? " The Frenchman interrogated.

" Well, mlurally I told the chief. He knew who it
was."

" Bien ! There is not — ^how do you say — ^flies on
Archer, nesUce pas ? And then ? "

I'he chief guessed who it was from the captain's
description."

Fox nodded his head at Beamish. " You met him,
eh, captain ? "

" He stood me a drink," the big man answered, " but
what he did it for I don't know."

" But how did he get wise to the telephone ? " Bulla
rumbled.

" Can't find out," Fox replied, " but it showed he
was wise to the whole affair. Then there was that
letter from Miss Cobum. That gave the show away,
because there could have been no papers like she said,
and she couldn't have discovered anything then that
she hadn't known at the clearing. Archer put Morton

THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

300

on to it, and he found that this Willis went down to
Eastbourne one night about two days before the letter
came. So that was that. Then he had me watch the
boy going to the telephone, and he has fooled him
about proper. I guess he's in London now, arranging
to arrest us all to-morrow."

Bulla chuckled fatly.

" As you say," he nodded at Rajnnond, " there ain't
no flyies on Archer, what ? "

" IVe always thought a lot of Archer," Beamish
remarked, " but I never thought so much of him as
that night we drew lots for who should put Cobum
out of the way. When he drew the long taper he never
as much as turned a hair. That's the last time we had
a full meeting, and we never reckoned that this would
be the next."

At this moment a train passed going towards
Hull.

" There's his train," Fox cried. " He should be here
soon."

" How long does it take to get from the station?"
Raymond inquired.

" About fifteen minutes," Captain Beamish answered,
" We're time enough making a move."

The men showed more and more nervousness, but the
talk dragged on for some quarter of an hour. Suddenly
from the wharf sounded the approaching footsteps of
a running man. He crossed the gangway and raced
up the ladder to the captain's cabin. The others
sprang to their feet as the door opened and Benson
appeared.

" He hasn't come ! " he cried excitedly. " I watched
at the station and he didn't get out ! "

Consternation showed on every face, and Beamish
swore bitterly. There was a variety of comments and
conjectures.

" There's no other train ? "

" Only the express. It doesn't stop here, but it
stops at Hessle on notice to the guard."

THE DOUBLE CROSS 30X

"He may have missed the connection at Selby/'
Fox suggested. " In that case he would motor."

Beamish spoke authoritatively.

" I wish, Benson, you would go and ring up the
Central and see if there has been any message."

Willis whispered to the sergeant, who, beckoning to
two of his men, crept hurriedly do^^n the port ladder to
the lower deck. In a moment Benson followed down
the starboard or lighted side. Willis, listening breath-
lessly above, heard what lie was expecting— a sudden
scuffle, a muffled cry, a faint click, and then silence.
He peeped through the porthole. Fox was expounding
his theory about the railway connections, and none of
those within had heard the sounds. Presently the
sergeant returned with his men.

"Trussed him up to the davit pole," he breathed
in the inspector's ear. " He won't give no trouble."

Willis nodded contentedly. That was one out of the
way out of six, and he had fourteen on his side.

Meanwhile the men in the cabin continued anxiously
discussing their leader's absence, until after a few
minutes Be^ mish swore irritably.

" Curse that fool Benson," he growled. " What the
blazes is keeping him all this time ? I had better go
and hurry him up. If they've got hold of Archer, it's
time we were out of this,"

Willis's hand closed on the sergeant's arm.

" Same thing again, but with three men," he
whispered.

The four had hardly disappeared down the port
ladder, when Beamish left his cabin and began to
descend the starboard. Willis felt that the crisis was
upon him. He whispered to the remaining constables,
who closed in round the cabin door, then grasped his
revolver, and stood tense.

Suddenly a wild enmmotion arose on the lower
deck. There was a warning shout from Beamish,
instantly muffled, the tramp of feet, a pistol shot, and
sounds of a violent struggle.

302 THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

For a moment there was silence in the cabin, the men
gazing at each other with consternation on their faces.
Then Bulla yelled : Copped, by God I " and with an
agility hardly credible in a man of his years, whipped
out a revolver, and sprang out of the cabin. Instantly
he was seized by three constables, and the four went
swinging and lurching across the deck, Bulla fighting
desperately to turn his weapon on his assailants. At
the same moment Willis leaped to the door, and with
his automatic levelled, shouted, ** Hands up, all of
you I You are covered from every quarter ! ''

Henri and Fox, who were next the door, obeyed as if
in a stupor, but Raymond's hand flew out, and a bullet
whistled past the inspector's head. Instantly Willis
fired, and with a scream the Frenchman staggered
back.

It was the work of a few seconds for the remaining
constables to dash in under the inspector's pistol and
handcuff the two men in the cabin, and WiUis then
turned to see how the contests on deck were faring.
But these also were over. Both Beamish and Bulla,
borne down by the weight of numbers, had been
secured.

The inspector next turned to examine Raymond.
His shot had been well aimed. The bullet had entered
the base of the man's right thumb, and passed out
through his wrist. His life was not in danger, but it
would be many a long day before he would again fire
a revolver.

Four blasts on the Girondin*s horn recalled Willis's
car, and when, some three hours later, the last batch
of prisoners was safely lodged in the Hull police station,
Willis began to feel that the end of his labours was
at last coming in sight.

The arrests supplied the inspector with fresh material
on which to work. As a result of his careful investiga-
tion of the movements of the prisoners during the
previous three years, the entire history of the Pit-Prbp

THE DOUBLE CROSS 303

Syndicate was unravelled, as well as the details of
Coburn's murder.

It seemed that the original idea of the fraud was
Raymond's. He looked round for a likely English
partner, selected / 4 .rcher, broached the subject to him,
and found him willing to go in. Soon, from his domi-
nating personality, Archer became the leader. Details
were worked out, and the necessary confederates care-
fully chosen. Beamish ard Ealla went in as partners,
the four being bound together by their joint liability.
The other three members were toot' over whom the
quartet had obtained some hold. In Coburn's case,
Archer learned of the defalcations in time to make
the erring cashier his victim. He met the deficit in
return for a signed confession of guilt and an lOU
for a sum which would have enabled the distiller
to sell the other up, and ruin his home and his
future.

An incompletely erased address in a pocket diary
belonging to Beamish led Willis to a small shop on
the south side of London, where he discovered an
assistant who had sold a square of black serge to two
men, about the time of Coburn's murder. The salesman
remembered the transaction because his customers
had been unable to describe what they wanted other-
wise thaii by the word cloth," which was not the
technical name for any of his commodities. The fabric
found in the cab was identical with that on the roll
this man stated he had used ; moreover, he identified
Beamish and Bulla as the purchasers.

Willis had a routine search made of the restaurants
of Soho, and at last found that in which the con-
spirators had held their meetings previous to the
murder. There had been two. At the first, so Willis
learned from the descriptions given by the proprietor,
Cobum had been present, but not at the second.

In spite of all his efforts he was unable to find the
shop at which the pistol had been bought, but he sus-
pected the transaction had been carried out by one of

304 the pit-prop SYNDICATE

the other members of the gang, in order as far as
possible to share the responsibility for the crime.

On the Girondin was found the false bulkhead in
Bulla's cabin, behind which was placed the hidden
brandy tank. The connection for the shore pipe was
conceded behind the back of the engineer's wash-hand
basin, which moved forward by means of a secret
spring.

On the Girondin was also found something over
£700,000, mostly in Brazilian notes, and Benson afhnitted
later that the plan had been to scuttle the Girondin off
the coast of Bahia, take to the boats and row ashore
at night, remaining in Brazil at least till the hue and
cry had died down. But instead all seven men received
heavy sentences. Archer paid for his crimes with his
life, the others got terms of from ten to fifteen years
each. The managers of the licensed houses in Hull
were believed to have been in ignorance of the larger
fraud, and to have dealt privately and individu^y
with Archer, and they and their accomplices escaped
with lighter penalties.

The mysterious Morton proved to be a private
detective, employed by Archer. He swore positively
that he had no knowledge of the real nature ol the
syndicate's operations, and though the judge's strictures
on his conduct were severe, no evidence could be found
against him, and he was not brought to trial.

Inspector Willis got his desired promotion out of the
case, and there was some one else who got more. About
a month after the trial, in Holy Trinity Church, East-
bourne, a wedding was solemnised — Seymour Merriman
and Madeleine Cobum were united in the bonds of
holy matrimony. And Hilliard, assisting as best man,
could not refrain from whispering in his friend's ear as
they turned to leave the vestry, “ Three cheers for
the Pit-Prop Syndicate I "

GLASGOW*. W. COLLINS SONS AND CO. LTD.

Messrs.

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PIRACY

Michael Arlen

This is the stor> of Ivor Pelham Marlay between the
ages of x8 and 32, and the period is London, 1910-1922.
It is the history of England, two loves, and an ideal.
Mr. Arlen deals with all the types of London Society, and
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Author of Old England

This long, powerful novel shows the dilemma of a
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As he is a man of iron self-control he represses his passion
till it bursts all bounds, with a tragic result. No one
now writing knows so well or describes so vividly IHe in
the English countryside as does Bernard Gilbert.

THE PIT-PROP SYNDICATE

Freeman Wills Crofts

Another brilliantly ingenious detective story by the
author of The Ponson Case. The mystery of the real
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** amateurs '' who tried to solve it, and it took all the
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This book has caused an even greatc* sensation in
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DANDELION DAYS

Henry Williamson

This is the tale of a boy's last terms at a public school,
a very sensitive, unusual boy, and it is in a sense a sequel
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A charmingly told novel of Sussex. The theme is
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Forrest Reid

This is an episode in the life of Rex Pender, who
inherited and came to live at Ballycastle. It is the story
of the curious spiritual experience which came to him
there. It is in a sense a " ghost story,” but it is told by
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book.

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This is a story of Evan Weir's wooing, and a very
strenuous and original ptrsuit it orovrd. In fact the
lady of his choice so far dissembled her love, as frequently
to threaten his further existence. At the time, Evan was
acting as secretary to old Simeon Deaves, famed as the
possessor of the " tightest wad " in New York.

Now certain individuals had designs upon old Simeon
and his hoard, and amongst them was the forcible and
beautiful object of Evan’s affections.

Like The Owl Taxi, it goes with a splendid snap, and is
packed with exciting and humorous incidents.

ROSEANNE

Madame Albanesi

The author calls this an " old-fashioned story." It
does not concern itself with sex or any other problems,
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This charming chronicle has no “plot.” It is an
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the reader must be aroused and held by the sheer merit
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DOMENICO

H. M. Anderson

This is the story of a Cardinal of Rome, a member of
one of the great noble families. In his youth something had
happened which had thrown a shadow over his life. There
are three great crises in his life, one of them due to this
shadow, one to the contrast between his conscience and
his ambition, and the third when, an exile in England, he
falls in love. Miss Anderson shows much skill in drawing
the cliaracter of this great and tragic figure.